Sangre, cuchillos, y tetas --- Horror Film Discussion

[Spun Lepton]

The Twelve Chairs -- 6/10
Blazing Saddles -- 10/10
Young Frankenstein, -- 9/10
Silent Movie -- 3/10
History of the World Part 1 -- 7/10
Spaceballs -- 7/10
Life Stinks -- 5/10
Robin Hood: Men in Tights -- 3/10
Dracula: Dead & Loving It -- 3/10

As far as I'm concerned, he hasn't topped Blazing Saddles, and there was a scary decline in the quality of his work after Spaceballs.

[jenniferofthejungle]

Nah, Fearless Vampire Killers is top notch early Polanski. For my taste, it's a better and funnier send-up of vampires than Young Frankenstein is of Frankensteins. Hilarious and sexy and sometimes even scary and it looks way gorgeous, too. Maybe more than anything, though, I rate Fearless Vampire Killers as highly as I do because of how hard it seems to be to intentionally make something so wickedly campy; usually that sort of thing has to happen on accident

Did you ever give it that second shot?


Not yet, but I don't think that I will appreciate it as much as you do because I was never a great fan of Hammer horrors or vampire films in general.

I think Young Frankenstein is hilarious.

And in other news, I rewatched [REC] last night and still thought it was great, though I mourn the fact that it will never scare me again. Damn, I'll miss that. I have heard good and bad things about the sequel, but I am really looking forward to seeing it.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Not yet, but I don't think that I will appreciate it as much as you do because I was never a great fan of Hammer horrors or vampire films in general.

I think Young Frankenstein is hilarious.

And in other news, I rewatched [REC] last night and still thought it was great, though I mourn the fact that it will never scare me again. Damn, I'll miss that. I have heard good and bad things about the sequel, but I am really looking forward to seeing it.

Yeah, I rewatched it for that thread I did, and a little of the magic is lost, but it's still great. I just love how efficient it is. Fifteen minutes of setup, sixty minutes of relentless payoff, and cut to black.

[Bosco B Thug]

So I was totally surprised. King of the Ants is a hugely satisfying movie.

It's COMPLETELY opposite to my preferred sensibility and requirements for filmmaking. You know, grace and beauty, visual eloquence, restraint, gentility... Even Re-Animator is saved by some finely-made dramatic scenes... this has all the gentility of an SNL Digital Short.

But there is something eloquent about Gordon's lowbrow filmmaking that I cannot pinpoint right now. KotA is very lucid, relatable, and soaked in very down-to-earth emotions. This is also due to a very amiable lead performance, and generally very acute acting jobs. It goes all the way with its premise, embracing and skipping along to its tune of a trashy portrait of humanity.

Very very Stuck. Feels, smells, emotionally impresses, morally punches in the same way. Well, Stuck is not as fugly. They'd make a great double bill, if too much sleaze isn't a problem.

[Spun Lepton]

Happy Birthday, George A. Romero!

:pritch:

[megladon8]

Happy Birthday, George A. Romero!

:pritch:


And he doesn't look a day over 3005!

[MadMan]

Happy Birthday, George A. Romero!

:pritch:Dude still rules, although at this point I'm wondering if he's possibly going to live past 100.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Some brief thoughts on 2 recent horror watches;

The Entity; great premise, great opening scene, but overlong and repetitive. Has an absolutely absurd final act, almost laughably bad. Also, blue lightning :/

High Tension: In many ways an accomplished horror, has some great moments of suspense, especially in the first half hour... I loved the gore and cinematography, but the narrative annoyed the hell out of me. Also, I'm getting a little tired of this kind of basic story, one that is a sort of "journey" film built around violence and torture. It just makes me feel really uncomfortable and upset. Not in a good way.

Also a friend lent me a bunch of horrors to watch, including Kairo, The Hills have Eyes (remake), Severance and Behind the Mask: The rise of Leslie Vernon.

[Spun Lepton]

Also a friend lent me a bunch of horrors to watch, including Kairo, The Hills have Eyes (remake), Severance and Behind the Mask: The rise of Leslie Vernon.

If you didn't like High Tension for the reasons you listed, you'll probably have a big problem with The Hills Have Eyes. Severance is one disappointing decision after another. Leslie Vernon is top-notch.

[Scar]

RE:Hills Have Eyes


And you can witness on of the worst displays of pistol shooting in it, too!

[D_Davis]

So I was totally surprised. King of the Ants is a hugely satisfying movie.

It's COMPLETELY opposite to my preferred sensibility and requirements for filmmaking. You know, grace and beauty, visual eloquence, restraint, gentility... Even Re-Animator is saved by some finely-made dramatic scenes... this has all the gentility of an SNL Digital Short.

But there is something eloquent about Gordon's lowbrow filmmaking that I cannot pinpoint right now. KotA is very lucid, relatable, and soaked in very down-to-earth emotions. This is also due to a very amiable lead performance, and generally very acute acting jobs. It goes all the way with its premise, embracing and skipping along to its tune of a trashy portrait of humanity.

Very very Stuck. Feels, smells, emotionally impresses, morally punches in the same way. Well, Stuck is not as fugly. They'd make a great double bill, if too much sleaze isn't a problem.

Nice.

I am really enjoying this period of Gordon's. His recent films have felt very small and personal, and showcased a great understanding for dark drama.

[D_Davis]

RE:Hills Have Eyes


And you can witness on of the worst displays of pistol shooting in it, too!

Oh man. I remember how much that bothered you. A Match-cut classic.

[Scar]

Oh man. I remember how much that bothered you. A Match-cut classic.


Yeah, I burst a blood vessel on that one!

:lol:

[Spun Lepton]

Out of curiosity, I put on about 10 or 15 minutes of Blood Sucking Freaks last night. A real nasty piece of work, this. Had the term "torture porn" been coined in the 1970s, this would have been #1 on the list. Seriously, it gives new meaning to the word "sleaze." It also looks like it was made by a gaggle of S&M enthusiasts. Lots of wax poured on skin, clamps on nipples, people being flogged and loving it, etc. It was goofy and bad enough in that Troma way, that I might finish it one day.

Scar, avoid this film at all costs, or you might break your TV.

[D_Davis]

Yeah, I burst a blood vessel on that one!

:lol:

If we had a clip episode, remembering the old times, that would definitely be on it.

[Bosco B Thug]

Nice.

I am really enjoying this period of Gordon's. His recent films have felt very small and personal, and showcased a great understanding for dark drama. Cool, I thought Rowland might be the only who's seen this.

I definitely prefer these two films to any of his horror films. I never hear anything good about Edmond, but I guess I'll be checking it out.

[jenniferofthejungle]

Happy Birthday, George A. Romero!

:pritch:


Wheeeeee. I want those glasses.


Anyway, I borrowed Halloween 2 (theatrical version) and will see what all the fuss isn't about this weekend.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Cool, I thought Rowland might be the only who's seen this.

I definitely prefer these two films to any of his horror films. I never hear anything good about Edmond, but I guess I'll be checking it out.

Edmond isn't as good as Stuck, but it has its own merits, especially the bizarre Odyssean encounters he has with strippers, pimps, waitresses...each presenting a threat to Edmond's sick new definition of himself.

[jenniferofthejungle]

Yeah, I rewatched it for that thread I did, and a little of the magic is lost, but it's still great. I just love how efficient it is. Fifteen minutes of setup, sixty minutes of relentless payoff, and cut to black.

I was just surprised at how easily I bought the video journalist angle of it. It just felt natural and reminded me of TV shows I'd seen like that, especially Spanish ones. It didn't feel forced and I relaly liked that. I know it has some errors, and like everything else it is flawed, but I'll be damned if it didn't work perfectly for me.


Now I must discover what this King of the Ants thing is all about.

[Bosco B Thug]

Now I must discover what this King of the Ants thing is all about. Even with all I heard about it not being a horror movie, I still went into the movie expecting an ant army. There was no ant army.

[jenniferofthejungle]

Even with all I heard about it not being a horror movie, I still went into the movie expecting an ant army. There was no ant army.

:cry:

[Rowland]

I never hear anything good about Edmond, but I guess I'll be checking it out.I haven't seen this yet either. I know Mike D'Angelo, Walter Chaw, Scott Tobias, and some other notable online critics liked it.

[MadMan]

Severance is fairly good, but the satire doesn't go far enough and the movie could have been a bit scary. Still an awesome twist on the slasher/revenge genre, however.

[jenniferofthejungle]

I've had Edmond for about 2 years, but have not yet been in the mood to watch it.

I watched the theatrical edition of Halloween 2 last night. It was needlessly brutal and not frightening in the least, but it was slightly better than I expected. Most of the people I know spoke of it in the worst way possible so I was expecting an Armageddon of crap, but it wasn't that bad. It wasn't good, but it was no Black X-mas. I listened to the commentary and felt really bad for Zombie. It seemed as though the entire shoot was one disaster after another. I find his commentaries entertaining and they make me feel really guilty for disliking his movies.

I really liked the kid actor they used in the Myers flashbacks, and I loved Danielle Harris and Brad Dourif, but Scout Taylor-Thompson sets my teeth on edge. She is such a vapid little shrill machine I can barely watch her performance. Has she been good in anything?

I want to see the Director's cut and see if that would have made any difference at all.

Edit: Too many boobies.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Edit: Too many boobies.

I refuse to believe this.

[megladon8]

I dunno, I wasn't too impressed with Zombie's first Halloween movie, and I haven't seen or heard much positive about the sequel, so I probably won-

Wait...boobies? LOTS of boobies?

*purchased*

[jenniferofthejungle]

I refuse to believe this.

It can happen, KF. :lol:



I dunno, I wasn't too impressed with Zombie's first Halloween movie, and I haven't seen or heard much positive about the sequel, so I probably won-

Wait...boobies? LOTS of boobies?

*purchased*

Just how much trouble do you want to be in this week?

[Scar]

I refuse to believe this.


You know what they say about boobs. Once you've seen one set.... You want to see the rest of 'em.

[Grouchy]

(°)(°)

[Bosco B Thug]

(°)(°) Friday the 13th 2009 for a maximum of these ones.

[Ezee E]

What exactly did Rob Zombie complain about in Halloween 2?

I've given him too much hope. He had one great movie, and three awful ones. I figured he'd surprise me again, but I think Devil's Rejects was just a fluke.

Although I liked the description of Tyrannosaurus Rex.

[Kurosawa Fan]

It can happen, KF. :lol:


Not in my experience, though I'm always anxious to be proven wrong on these matters.

*queues up Halloween 2*

[jenniferofthejungle]

What exactly did Rob Zombie complain about in Halloween 2?

I've given him too much hope. He had one great movie, and three awful ones. I figured he'd surprise me again, but I think Devil's Rejects was just a fluke.

Although I liked the description of Tyrannosaurus Rex.

He seemed a little bitter about some of the experiences while shooting, and I don't blame him. According to him (can't see why he'd lie on the commentary track) they cut his shooting schedule down quite a bit, made him reshoot the ending, and then there were inexplicable problems like his losing the right to the names of characters he'd created for the movie. There were a few times when time and money were wasted on digitally changing the names on what they had filmed already. It just seemed like it was doomed from the start, and not just because it was a bad idea to remake the damned thing.

It was an interesting commentary. He sounds like a nice, intelligent man.

[Ezee E]

He seemed a little bitter about some of the experiences while shooting, and I don't blame him. According to him (can't see why he'd lie on the commentary track) they cut his shooting schedule down quite a bit, made him reshoot the ending, and then there were inexplicable problems like his losing the right to the names of characters he'd created for the movie. There were a few times when time and money were wasted on digitally changing the names on what they had filmed already. It just seemed like it was doomed from the start, and not just because it was a bad idea to remake the damned thing.

It was an interesting commentary. He sounds like a nice, intelligent man.
Lesson learned. He should tell original stories. But that was two movies ago.

[Rowland]

He should tell original stories.Considering that his Halloween 2 has little in common with the original series, I thought he was rather successful at making it his own this time around, where his original remake became too slavish to Carpenter's film in its second half.

[jenniferofthejungle]

I forgot to mention that I gave Fearless Vampire Killers another shot and I don't regret it at all. It was a very good movie and I liked it a lot.

Mercy, Sharon Tate was gorgeous.

[Dukefrukem]

I watched Dying Breed, which is part of Horrorfest 3, and it's actually very nicely made and one of the better films in the series. There's some brutal imagery and decent acting makes this worth watching ... anyone else see it?


Zoology student Nina and her friends go into the Tasmanian Forest in search of the Tasmanian Tiger. What they discover, however, is a cannibalistic clan who are the descendants of a famous escaped serial killer known as The Pieman

[Spun Lepton]

Lesson learned. He should tell original stories. But that was two movies ago.

He's already complained that studios aren't interested in original stories right now.

[Spun Lepton]

As far a purposely disposable entertainment goes, Planet Terror does deliver. The unfortunate side-effect being that it doesn't really stand up to multiple viewings. Watchable, with some fun moments, but not really as satisfying the 2nd time around.

[MadMan]

He's already complained that studios aren't interested in original stories right now.I think he's right, in that regard. Although throughout the history of cinema books and other older stories have been adapted onscreen, and there have been plenty of remakes. So that's really always been the case.

[Dead & Messed Up]

He's already complained that studios aren't interested in original stories right now.

Then he should leave the studios and do independent work. Regardless of one's views on directors like Stuart Gordon, Larry Fessenden, and Brad Anderson...they're making films that are undeniably their own, completely free of studio interference.

[jenniferofthejungle]

In one of the least shocking bits of news of the day I watched the Friday the 13th remake and found it to be terrible.

The only thing that really sets this film apart from the original films is that it seems to be a bit more vicious, and the kills played less for laughs and more for shock. This Jason seems a bit more menacing than the one we always saw striding through the woods with his reliable machete.

I borrowed it from the library so the only thing it cost me was about 90 minutes of sleep.

[Kurosawa Fan]

In one of the least shocking bits of news of the day I watched the Friday the 13th remake and found it to be terrible.

The only thing that really sets this film apart from the original films is that it seems to be a bit more vicious, and the kills played less for laughs and more for shock. This Jason seems a bit more menacing than the one we always saw striding through the woods with his reliable machete.

I borrowed it from the library so the only thing it cost me was about 90 minutes of sleep.

Boobie count?

[The Mike]

Boobie count?

Oh, that one definitely had the best boobies of the year. Count of 6, if I recall right, but they're worth about 34.7.

[megladon8]

Why are boobies so awesome?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Why are boobies so awesome?

Because they're boobies.

[megladon8]

Because they're boobies.


This logic is undeniable.

[Kurosawa Fan]

This logic is undeniable.

Glad to have you onboard.

[megladon8]

Glad to have you onboard.


Do we get to look at boobies in this club?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Do we get to look at boobies in this club?

Unquestionably.

[Scar]

Boobie count?

First set you see are fake, but be patient. In the end, you will be treated to quite a nice set of naturals.

[Kurosawa Fan]

First set you see are fake, but be patient. In the end, you will be treated to quite a nice set of naturals.

You're a man of vast knowledge. You will be useful in our club.

[megladon8]

No girls allowed.

[Scar]

You're a man of vast knowledge. You will be useful in our club.

I certainly am a boob man.

[Scar]

No girls allowed.

Oh, I know plenty of lovely ladies who appreciate the beauty of a good rack.

[megladon8]

Oh, I know plenty of lovely ladies who appreciate the beauty of a good rack.


:|

Clearly I hang out in the wrong crowds.

[Scar]

In regards to the aforementioned boobies:

http://www.horror-movies.ca/horror_15524.html

[The Mike]

Boobies. :D

[jenniferofthejungle]

:|

[jenniferofthejungle]

Boobie count?


I did laugh. :lol:



I'm watching The Final Destination tonight. I guess I'll have a boob count for you tomorrow. :lol:

[Kurosawa Fan]

I fear my love of boobies has derailed a fine thread. I'll leave, but not before saying...


I'm watching The Final Destination tonight. I guess I'll have a boob count for you tomorrow. :lol:

This is a terrible idea. Take my word, as someone who thoroughly enjoys this franchise.


Now, I go in peace.



































In search of boobies.

[Grouchy]

Ah, the neverending quest.

[Scar]

Boobies have been a part of horror movies for quite some time.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Boobies have been a part of horror movies for quite some time.

The paradox is that (a) I feel the broad over-reliance on objectification of women points toward a troubling streak of misogyny in the genre as a whole, and (b) I love boobies.

It's a conundrum that necessitates more study.

[megladon8]

We must study, DaMU, by experiencing more boobie-centric films and determining on a case-by-case basis how their misogynist values can be overturned.

I also feel it's very, very important to our case that we have some live boobie demonstrations.

[MadMan]

Did someone say boobies? *Pops up out of nowhere* ;)

[Kurosawa Fan]

My god, what have I done?

[Philosophe_rouge]

(.Y.)

[MadMan]

My god, what have I done?You've done a good thing, sir. A good thing.


(.Y.)Um, indeed? :lol:

[Bosco B Thug]

Lifeforce's US theatrical cut was fun to observe. It's a super-abridged version of Lifeforce with souped up cross-cutting in order to make it all more exciting. It kind of works, actually. It feels punchier at times.

The first 20 minutes of The Return of the Living Dead are just about perfect. The pre-credit prologue is ridiculously good. The Punk/Teen melting pot of a posse cavorting in the cemetery sequences is also just about the best thing ever. The film is in slow declin from there, but it's all good.

[Ezee E]

In regards to the aforementioned boobies:

http://www.horror-movies.ca/horror_15524.html
Those were indeed a nice set of boobies. I'll have to read that article when I'm not at work. :)

[Ezee E]

My god, what have I done?
Made a secret thread about boobies.

The mods will never know.

Wait...

[megladon8]

Lifeforce's US theatrical cut was fun to observe. It's a super-abridged version of Lifeforce with souped up cross-cutting in order to make it all more exciting. It kind of works, actually. It feels punchier at times.

The first 20 minutes of The Return of the Living Dead are just about perfect. The pre-credit prologue is ridiculously good. The Punk/Teen melting pot of a posse cavorting in the cemetery sequences is also just about the best thing ever. The film is in slow declin from there, but it's all good.


It makes me sad that you made no mention at all of these two films being ripe with boobies.

[dreamdead]

Unrelated to this current discussion, I have decided to watch Zombie's Halloween 2 over the weekend based on Glenn Kenny's analysis here (http://somecamerunning.typepad.com/some_came_running/2010/02/the-zombie-halloweens-or-taking-the-nathan-lee-challenge.html).

[Kurosawa Fan]

Unrelated to this current discussion, I have decided to watch Zombie's Halloween 2 over the weekend based on Glenn Kenny's analysis here (http://somecamerunning.typepad.com/some_came_running/2010/02/the-zombie-halloweens-or-taking-the-nathan-lee-challenge.html).

Admit it. It's based on Jen's admission of excessive boobies.

[dreamdead]

I. Said. Because. Of. Glenn. Kenny.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I. Said. Because. Of. Glenn. Kenny.

*scans Glenn Kenny's article for mention of boobies*

[dreamdead]

*scans Glenn Kenny's article for mention of boobies*

I'm actually intrigued mainly because of the Rocky Horror vibe that he talks about toward the end of the article. That kind of WTF value interests me.

[Rowland]

I. Said. Because. Of. Glenn. Kenny.Keith Uhlich gives it high praise in the comments section, and curiously enough, I've discovered that Ed Gonzalez has added it to his 2009 top ten: http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/feature/ed-gonzalez-top-10s/212

[Bosco B Thug]

It makes me sad that you made no mention at all of these two films being ripe with boobies. :lol: Couldn't I just be happy about them, er, in private?

But no, I really hadn't thought about that. This was a fantastic double bill for hot as hell naked chicks.


Keith Uhlich gives it high praise in the comments section, and curiously enough, I've discovered that Ed Gonzalez has added it to his 2009 top ten: http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/feature/ed-gonzalez-top-10s/212 Hrmmm. Ed Gonzales. I love Ed Gonzalez. His Top 10s are kinda funky, though...

[MadMan]

Aside from boobies (heh), Return of the Living Dead is great, entertaining fun. The movie really works partly as a homage to the Romero zombies, and then follows that up by acting as a deconstruction of the classic standard zombie. Plus the movie has some really funny lines, such as "You mean the movies lied?" and the ending is truly something else. I keep hearing that the sequels aren't very good, but I may give the second movie a chance.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Eh. It's good for a while, then it devolves into the cliches it initially mocks. I'm much happier when the film plays more off the pop-savvy morons in the warehouse; when the film progresses to generic scenes of the heroes nailing up the windows and doors and dealing with slowly-turning friends, it loses much of its charm.

Although that bleak ending is great.

[MadMan]

Anyways Romero's Day of the Dead is the much better zombie film from that year. Stuart Gordan's classic Re-Animator blows both out of the water, too. I think the scene in ROTLD where The paramedics show up, turn on the headlights, and see a ton of zombies was the only freaky part of the entire movie.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Anyways Romero's Day of the Dead is the much better zombie film from that year. Stuart Gordan's classic Re-Animator blows both out of the water, too. I think the scene in ROTLD where The paramedics show up, turn on the headlights, and see a ton of zombies was the only freaky part of the entire movie.

I feel like I need to rewatch Day of the Dead, after reading analyses from Robin Wood and Ed Gonzalez. Both are huge fans of the film as an intentionally unlikable, bleak piece of work - I found it simplistic and shrill.

[D_Davis]

I keep hearing that the sequels aren't very good, but I may give the second movie a chance.


If you can get the unrated version of 3, it's worth a watch. A great pair of zombie boobs, and the end is awesome.

[MadMan]

I feel like I need to rewatch Day of the Dead, after reading analyses from Robin Wood and Ed Gonzalez. Both are huge fans of the film as an intentionally unlikable, bleak piece of work - I found it simplistic and shrill.I think you aren't wrong about the moive being simplistic, but that's necessarily a bad thing to me. Shrill though? Eh, maybe the female character in some respects. My review of the movie isn't within reach though, and I don't really recall it too well. But I think that Wood and Gonzalez are both correct about the film being indeed unlikable and rather bleak. The gore sure helps, too, I suppose.


If you can get the unrated version of 3, it's worth a watch. A great pair of zombie boobs, and the end is awesome.Really. I'll be on the lookout for that one. Yey for boobs! :lol:

[Spun Lepton]

If you can get the unrated version of 3, it's worth a watch. A great pair of zombie boobs, and the end is awesome.

Yeah, the unrated version of the 3rd is a gory good time.

[Dead & Messed Up]

If you can get the unrated version of 3, it's worth a watch. A great pair of zombie boobs, and the end is awesome.

Come on guys. There's more to life than boobs, and I hope to find out what that is someday.

[D_Davis]

There's more to life than boobs

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordp ress.com/2007/05/ha-ha-ha2.jpg

[D_Davis]

Return of the Living Dead > Dawn of the Dead '04 > Night of the Living Dead > Day of the Dead > Dawn of the Dead > Land of the Dead > The 15-minutes of Diary of the Dead that I saw

[megladon8]

Return of the Living Dead > Dawn of the Dead '04 > Night of the Living Dead > Day of the Dead > Dawn of the Dead > Land of the Dead > The 15-minutes of Diary of the Dead that I saw


Funny enough, these are also ranked showing the amount of boobage that occurs, from most to least.

You're a smart one, D. Your posts have layers. Like an onion.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Return of the Living Dead > Dawn of the Dead '04 > Night of the Living Dead > Day of the Dead > Dawn of the Dead > Land of the Dead > The 15-minutes of Diary of the Dead that I saw

:crazy:

[Spun Lepton]

Return of the Living Dead > Dawn of the Dead '04 > Night of the Living Dead > Day of the Dead > Dawn of the Dead > Land of the Dead > The 15-minutes of Diary of the Dead that I saw

There's so much wrong with this equation that I'm putting you on super special secret probation.

[megladon8]

Here's a question/speculation I've had in my head since re-watching The Exorcist recently...

Was it the demon who made Father Merrin sick? At the very beginning of the film he's on that archeological dig and finds the relic and statue of Pazuzu. It's not until after these scenes that we start to see him taking his pills and looking horribly frail.

Or perhaps the demon didn't make him sick, but from the moment it was dug up it began preying on his already weak heart, knowing that he would be the one called to battle it when it took over Regan?

[Dead & Messed Up]

Here's a question/speculation I've had in my head since re-watching The Exorcist recently...

Was it the demon who made Father Merrin sick? At the very beginning of the film he's on that archeological dig and finds the relic and statue of Pazuzu. It's not until after these scenes that we start to see him taking his pills and looking horribly frail.

Or perhaps the demon didn't make him sick, but from the moment it was dug up it began preying on his already weak heart, knowing that he would be the one called to battle it when it took over Regan?

I think it's the second option you mention, only in a more vague manner. He experienced something dark there, and it weakened him psychologically. I would imagine experiencing pure, undiluted evil, even in an indirect manner, would be corrosive to the spirit.

Did he know he'd see that evil again? I don't know, but he definitely feared the possibility.

[megladon8]

I think it's the second option you mention, only in a more vague manner. He experienced something dark there, and it weakened him psychologically. I would imagine experiencing pure, undiluted evil, even in an indirect manner, would be corrosive to the spirit.

Did he know he'd see that evil again? I don't know, but he definitely feared the possibility.


Not so much Merrin knowing, though. Do you think Pazuzu knew that it was going to encounter Merrin again, and soon?

Do you think the entire possession of Regan was pre-meditated by the demon, as its real target was Merrin?

Therefore, the demon could have subtly influenced Merrin and his health right from the beginning, in order to weaken him further before their confrontation.

[bac0n]

I was looking for something to watch last night while I wrapped a few valentines day presents, and Jason Goes to Hell was on Netflix instant, so I figured, what the hell. I watched it years ago when it first hit video and I remember it being amusing.

Damn, it was... kinda bad. The only amusing parts were the the not-so-subtle references to other (superior, I might add) horrors, such as Creepshow and Halloween. And to think, I thought this was among the better of the F13 films. Which means most the other films are even worse.

[megladon8]

I was looking for something to watch last night while I wrapped a few valentines day presents, and Jason Goes to Hell was on Netflix instant, so I figured, what the hell. I watched it years ago when it first hit video and I remember it being amusing.

Damn, it was... kinda bad. The only amusing parts were the the not-so-subtle references to other (superior, I might add) horrors, such as Creepshow and Halloween. And to think, I thought this was among the better of the F13 films. Which means most the other films are even worse.


That's the only movie in the series I haven't seen yet.

[MadMan]

So far, I've seen all of the Jason films except for all of Jason X and most of Freddy v. Jason (I watched bits and pieces of that one on Sci-Fi about two years ago).

I'd rank them as such:

*Jason Lives
*The Final Chapter
*Part II
*Friday the 13th
*The New Blood
*A New Beginning
*Jason Goes to Manhatten
*Part III-IN 3D!
*The Remake
*Jason Goes to Hell

Out of those, the only one I thought was utterly terrible was Jason Goes to Hell. Man was that move stupid-and it also wasted Duke, was one cool badass character. Too bad he wasn't in some of the other Jason movies.

[The Mike]

Not so much Merrin knowing, though. Do you think Pazuzu knew that it was going to encounter Merrin again, and soon?

Do you think the entire possession of Regan was pre-meditated by the demon, as its real target was Merrin?

Therefore, the demon could have subtly influenced Merrin and his health right from the beginning, in order to weaken him further before their confrontation.

I see the opening as a sort of devine guidance moment. It's as if Merrin was put in that place to see the evil he would eventually face, to give him knowledge of the showdown he would be a part of. It's made clear before he sees the statue that he's weakened already (taking the heart attack pills), and it seems like this was, in the movie's eyes, God's way of showing him the final challenge he would face.

But, I'm a big fan of looking at the whole movie, at least from the priests' viewpoints, as a guided mission where God's setting up Karras and Merrin as saints for their perseverance despite personal issues and Dyer as the one who "bears witness", to strengthen his faith as he goes forward.

The Bible's full of moments in which someone is shown the challenge that's going to be before them by God himself or angelic intervention, and I think the scene with Merrin and the statue was a real-world way of accomplishing that.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I've seen four Jason movies, and it was three too much.

The original was garbage with good makeup work. Manhattan was a putrid, lying mess of a film (they're barely in Manhattan). X...yes, yes, the sleeping bag scene is cool, but it's one minute in a hundred minutes of suck.

Freddy vs. Jason, however, was an energetic pleasure, thanks mostly to Ronny Yu's strong direction of action. Credit also goes to the story that logically places the two at opposition.

[MadMan]

Bah, Part II and the originally are fairly creepy (and both contain among the greatest jump scare moments of all time), The Final Chapter and Jason Lives are gloriously campy and even funny in some respects (and quite original considering they are slasher movies). Jason Goes to Manhatten and The New Blood are both big dumb fun, and I actually wish that in regards to A New Beginning that Tommy Jarvis had ended up taking over Jason's mantle, becoming the new version of the famous serial slasher. But hey that wasn't going to happen, of course. Part III and the remake are both rather stupid, but they have their moments I suppose. Maybe I'm not as mad as others are about the lack of Jason actually being in Manhatten, but I think at the same time I blame the studio for not providing more funding and for lying their asses off, naturally. So yeah I have a feeling that I'll watch Jason X, laugh heartily, and then come in here to defend it :P

[dreamdead]

I liked the mood and artistry that Zombie achieves in Halloween 2, since there are few of his usual bad-taste jokes here (at least after the coroner vehicle crashes). Many of the nighttime rain shots get such an emotional charge out of his camera angles and feeling of isolation. That said, the last twenty minutes or so lose control slightly, as the ostensibly camp value of the Rocky Horror is subverted by several moments of adherence to genre convention (goth girl going off to have sex). Had there been more exploration of the meaninglessness of the white-hair girl's death, since she actually does nothing against the generic codes of surviving a horror film, I would have been more intrigued. Still, good enough to keep me as a passive follower of Zombie's career. Original theatrical ending is much better, btw.

[megladon8]

I see the opening as a sort of devine guidance moment. It's as if Merrin was put in that place to see the evil he would eventually face, to give him knowledge of the showdown he would be a part of. It's made clear before he sees the statue that he's weakened already (taking the heart attack pills), and it seems like this was, in the movie's eyes, God's way of showing him the final challenge he would face.

But, I'm a big fan of looking at the whole movie, at least from the priests' viewpoints, as a guided mission where God's setting up Karras and Merrin as saints for their perseverance despite personal issues and Dyer as the one who "bears witness", to strengthen his faith as he goes forward.

The Bible's full of moments in which someone is shown the challenge that's going to be before them by God himself or angelic intervention, and I think the scene with Merrin and the statue was a real-world way of accomplishing that.


This is a really great post, Mike. I'd never thought of it this way.

[megladon8]

So let's open a big can of worms here. And try to keep the flaming to a minimum, because this is always a fun discussion to have, but I've seen it turn into immature flame-wars before...so let's be civil.

John Carpenter's The Thing...

...was Childs (Keith David) infected at the end?

Yes or no, and state your reasoning.

[MadMan]

So let's open a big can of worms here. And try to keep the flaming to a minimum, because this is always a fun discussion to have, but I've seen it turn into immature flame-wars before...so let's be civil.

John Carpenter's The Thing...

...was Childs (Keith David) infected at the end?

Yes or no, and state your reasoning.No. Because Keith David is just too badass. :P

Honestly, we have no way of knowing. And I don't think it matters too much, considering how the movie ended. Both of them froze to death. Unless someone else makes it to the camp and takes the bodies back, there's no way for The Thing to make it out into the actual civilized world.

[Dead & Messed Up]

So let's open a big can of worms here. And try to keep the flaming to a minimum, because this is always a fun discussion to have, but I've seen it turn into immature flame-wars before...so let's be civil.

John Carpenter's The Thing...

...was Childs (Keith David) infected at the end?

Yes or no, and state your reasoning.

Yes. He disappeared, and his alibi was suspicious, especially since we see Wilford skulking close by the team. The worst part is that, by drinking from the same bottle as MacReady, we can be sure that both men become the Thing.

Am I 100% certain? Of course not. But that's the fun of such things.

[Scar]

Both of them froze to death. Unless someone else makes it to the camp and takes the bodies back, there's no way for The Thing to make it out into the actual civilized world.

If they were infected, then the Thing would prefer that they freeze to death instead of getting torched. It's been on the planet for a very, very, very, very long time and is quite patient.

[Spun Lepton]

I was looking for something to watch last night while I wrapped a few valentines day presents, and Jason Goes to Hell was on Netflix instant, so I figured, what the hell. I watched it years ago when it first hit video and I remember it being amusing.

Damn, it was... kinda bad. The only amusing parts were the the not-so-subtle references to other (superior, I might add) horrors, such as Creepshow and Halloween. And to think, I thought this was among the better of the F13 films. Which means most the other films are even worse.

Yeah, it's pretty miserable. I liked it when it first came out, but even then I didn't consider it any kind of masterwork. The Unrated version is slightly more worthwhile, only because they go so far over the top with some of the gore.

[megladon8]

If they were infected, then the Thing would prefer that they freeze to death instead of getting torched. It's been on the planet for a very, very, very, very long time and is quite patient.


Yes, if it freezes again, that's probably an ideal situation for the alien. Even if it takes hundreds of years, someone is going to dig those bodies up again, and the process repeats.

I'm not sure how I feel about Childs being infected, though. One question I've never been able to answer myself is, do the copies know that they're copies? Are they, deep down, aware that they are alien imitations, and are just able to continue the behaviour of that individual almost without flaw? Or do they think they are the real people?

Childs did disappear for quite a while, yes, and there's also the issue of him showing up at the end wearing a different coat - a coat that we saw covered in blood and guts earlier, no less. However, this could be stocked up to editing problems, as there are inconsistencies all through the movie (and all movies).

Like DaMU said, it's something we'll never know.

[The Mike]

Which one was Childs? The one who liked cards?

:P

[Dead & Messed Up]

Which one was Childs? The one who liked cards?

:P

No, that was Bennings. Childs was the guy who got angry at stuff.

[Raiders]

I remember it was popular back in the days of the Axis for the few detractors to grumble over the indistinguishable-ness of most of the characters.

To me, that's like blaming a square for having four sides.

[megladon8]

That's something that never bothered me at all - the claim that all the men are indistinguishable from each other.

I thought they were very distinct from one another. Particularly looking a the extreme differences between, say, Palmer and MacReady. Or Nauls and Childs.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I remember it was popular back in the days of the Axis for the few detractors to grumble over the indistinguishable-ness of most of the characters.

To me, that's like blaming a square for having four sides.

Narrowing the number of cast members and allowing more time for their personalities to develop could only help the film. It creates more paranoia based on behavior, and it increases our interest in their fates.

To be honest, I never gave much of a damn about any of the people in the film, excluding MacReady, and that comes mostly from Russell's inherent likability. The rest are painted so broadly and superficially that I don't care when the Doc loses his arms. I don't care when Palmer is revealed; there's no interesting person there to miss. I don't care when Windows is flapping around on the ceiling. Most of the attacks are played for spectacle, not for emotional impact, and I think Carpenter could've had those scenes function on both levels without losing anything at all.

[Raiders]

Narrowing the number of cast members and allowing more time for their personalities to develop could only help the film. It creates more paranoia based on behavior, and it increases our interest in their fates.

To be honest, I never gave much of a damn about any of the people in the film, excluding MacReady, and that comes mostly from Russell's inherent likability. The rest are painted so broadly and superficially that I don't care when the Doc loses his arms. I don't care when Palmer is revealed; there's no interesting person there to miss. I don't care when Windows is flapping around on the ceiling. Most of the attacks are played for spectacle, not for emotional impact, and I think Carpenter could've had those scenes function on both levels without losing anything at all.

You're assuming a film's base want should always include having you care about the characters. The film isn't concerned as much about emotional impact, at least in the sense of empathy. It's about the confusion and paranoia and keeping such a group of characters at arm's length aids that motive. There are many archetypal personalities that round it out as a functioning group, and the evil makes its way through this group, perverting it to the point of hysteria and ultimate confusion. That's the level Carpenter is gunning for, and he is wildly successful.

I also doubt Carpenter could have made this film this way and had us really become attached to these characters; he would have had to spend quite a bit of time creating distinctive and empathetic personas and he would have lost a lot of the confusion and paranoia in those scenes with eight men standing not knowing who or what they are even looking at. I think you're wanting a film that was never intended and has no bearing for me personally on the success and brilliance of this film as it exists.

[MadMan]

If they were infected, then the Thing would prefer that they freeze to death instead of getting torched. It's been on the planet for a very, very, very, very long time and is quite patient.This is very true. Maybe I'm just being optimistic. The Thing's nihinistic ending is brilliant.

I believe that, when I first reviewed The Thing back in 2007 with a decently lengthy review on paper, that I had no problem with the characters and whether or not they were too similar. In the end, I focus on McReady and Childs because they are both badass and rather interesting, and on Bennings due to his hilarious "I'llll KEEEEEEL YOU!!!" line and the fact that early on he realizes after running tests that everyone on the base is screwed.

[Dead & Messed Up]

You're assuming a film's base want should always include having you care about the characters. The film isn't concerned as much about emotional impact, at least in the sense of empathy. It's about the confusion and paranoia and keeping such a group of characters at arm's length aids that motive.

How so? I was under the assumption that when we empathize with characters, we feel what they feel. So if the director wants us to feel their confusion, why not invite us into their perspectives? By keeping us at arm's distance, we're less likely to be invested, more likely to observe things in a more detached way. That hampers the potential for suspense, because suspense is predicated on us giving a damn about whether or not a character is in danger.


There are many archetypal personalities that round it out as a functioning group, and the evil makes its way through this group, perverting it to the point of hysteria and ultimate confusion. That's the level Carpenter is gunning for, and he is wildly successful.

When a film's entire premise is that the viewer questions identity, I think establishing identities would be helpful. Furthermore, your calling the "thing" evil...well, wouldn't that Evil be more fascinating were there some meaning to the Good it was corrupting?


I also doubt Carpenter could have made this film this way and had us really become attached to these characters; he would have had to spend quite a bit of time creating distinctive and empathetic personas.

Not necessarily. Think of the economy involved in Scott's Alien, where a dinner scene neatly, quickly establishes the main characters, their interests, and their relationships with each other. It's very fast, and it's very effective. And that's seven characters. If he reduced the number of characters from twelve to eight or nine, he'd still be able to have nice big group scenes and offer more time to more sharply define the people.


And he would have lost a lot of the confusion and paranoia in those scenes with eight men standing not knowing who or what they are even looking at.

Again, how would being emotionally invested with these people dampen our sense of confusion? Especially when the Thing itself triggers no outward signs of its infestations? I mean, when someone is revealed as the Thing, it'd be nice to have a "Holy shit, he was a Thing?" in addition to, "Holy shit, it's about to get gross!"


I think you're wanting a film that was never intended and has no bearing for me personally on the success and brilliance of this film as it exists.

I must concede that I'm harsh on this aspect of the film because I find it otherwise one of the most impeccably crafted of all horror films. If not the best-crafted. Carpenter's composition of his characters hearkens back to the original film. His control of the camera is better than in Halloween. His use of color, with the red of blood and flames the only respite from the cold blues and whites, is formidable. The actors all acquit themselves nicely, playing regular blue-jeans dudes without ever overdoing it. The creature effects are still stunning. The "heartbeat" score is genius, equal in its insinuating eeriness to Williams's Jaws theme.

It's tough love. That's all.

[/DaMU whinery about a movie he considers a classic]

[MadMan]

*Looks at Top 20 Horror Movies List* Yep, I still have The Thing above Alien. Both are utterly amazing, though. In the end, The Thing>Alien because the ending for Carpenter's movie is far superior. However, in the scheme of things out of all the characters in both movies I like Parker the best. Also Alien has the better cast overall.

[Rowland]

Huh. Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever is directed by House of the Devil's Ti West. An incentive to rent I suppose, since I'm always on the look-out for promising DTV releases.

[Raiders]

Huh. Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever is directed by House of the Devil's Ti West. An incentive to rent I suppose, since I'm always on the look-out for promising DTV releases.

It's a butchered film, though. I think West wants his name taken off the final film. You can Google for his interviews where he discusses it as well as stories regarding its production.

[Rowland]

I have to admit, even though I guessed the twist ahead of its reveal by a solid 15-20 minutes, Orphan's deliriously absurd final act made me enjoy the film as a whole more than the first two overlong acts led me to anticipate. Not enough to actually like it all that much, but it sure has camp value going for it. That said, Collet-Serra's House of Wax remake was a more satisfying effort on the whole, and George Ratliff's Joshua is a far superior recent example of the bad-seed horror sub-genre.

[The Mike]

It's a butchered film, though. I think West wants his name taken off the final film. You can Google for his interviews where he discusses it as well as stories regarding its production.
Yeah, this is true. The movie has a few good moments, but lacks any of what I'd expect from West through his other films. It's a pretty pointless cash in.

Also, there's no Cabin in it.

[Raiders]

Yeah, this is true. The movie has a few good moments, but lacks any of what I'd expect from West through his other films. It's a pretty pointless cash in.

Also, there's no Cabin in it.

Well, admittedly from what I have heard he was going for something different from both his previous films and the original film; something pretty outrageous from the sound of it. But, from what I can tell, they didn't really let him go to the extremes he intended and ultimately I don't think the final product was in his hands.

[The Mike]

A topic I've been pondering today - Who are the biggest all-time dickholes in horror movies?

Here (http://frommidnight.blogspot.com/2010/02/midnight-top-5-dickholes-in-horror.html)'s what I said.

[Grouchy]

I don't remember who it was that mentioned recently in these forums that he wanted to see some steampunk movies. Well, I've seen the steampunk vampire movie - Perfect Creature. Well... not bad at all. I was kind of a skeptic at first, because the set-up, including the tough female cop with a past, was a bit cliché, and there are a few too many instances of exposition because the world is a bit complicated, but I was really surprised at how unusual and smart the story is. The vampires have been accepted by society and work some sort of church... It's really crazy. Ultimately, it's all resolved a bit easy, but it's worth seeing. How many steampunk vampire movies could you find?

Saffron Burrows is beautiful. The fact that she swings for both teams turns me on all the more.

[Dead & Messed Up]

A topic I've been pondering today - Who are the biggest all-time dickholes in horror movies?

Here (http://frommidnight.blogspot.com/2010/02/midnight-top-5-dickholes-in-horror.html)'s what I said.

As long as Harry Cooper made the cut, I'm happy...

::reads blog::

Yes! Great call on Cleopatra. I would never of thought to include her, but she fits the bill perfectly.

[bac0n]

A topic I've been pondering today - Who are the biggest all-time dickholes in horror movies?

Here (http://frommidnight.blogspot.com/2010/02/midnight-top-5-dickholes-in-horror.html)'s what I said.

Ha! William Atherton FTW! :pritch:

[Rowland]

It's a butchered film, though. I think West wants his name taken off the final film. You can Google for his interviews where he discusses it as well as stories regarding its production.Hmm, I've done some research, and from the looks of it, 95% of the film is still his footage, only with an alternate ending re-shot and tacked on by disgruntled producers. So, I rented it today along with Ong Bak 2, so I'll throw my two cents in by tomorrow.

[Raiders]

Hmm, I've done some research, and from the looks of it, 95% of the film is still his footage, only with an alternate ending re-shot and tacked on by disgruntled producers. So, I rented it today along with Ong Bak 2, so I'll throw my two cents in by tomorrow.

Footage yes, but he didn't participate much, if at all, in post-production according to his online interviews. He walked away when the producers stepped in and asked for something different. There are plenty of examples of how radically different the editing and post-production process can make the final product. The producers and editor are claiming the film is, minus the ending, very faithful to West's intentions, but it's all hearsay at this point.

A good article for both sides: http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=12341

[Rowland]

There are plenty of examples of how radically different the editing and post-production process can make the final product. Oh, absolutely. Yeah, I conveniently left out the post-production angle when stating that 95% of the footage was still his, but I nevertheless felt compelled to give it a shot. If there are any odd tonal fluctuations or what have you, it'll be interesting to consider what was originally intended and what was sculpted from the footage outside of West's original vision.

[Rowland]

That sucked. The third act is clearly where most of the post-production tinkering occurred, with loads of choppy editing and an obviously tacked-on POS coda, so it's the film's weakest section, but I can't even fathom a West-approved cut justifying more than a feeble two-star rating. I liked some of his aesthetic choices, but the majority of this was pretty feeble, mean-spirited stuff, which is clearly an amplified sensibility in this edit.

[Raiders]

That sucked. The third act is clearly where most of the post-production tinkering occurred, with loads of choppy editing and an obviously tacked on, POS coda, so it's the film's weakest section, but I can't even fathom a West-approved cut justifying more than a feeble two-star rating. I liked some of his aesthetic choices, but the majority of this was pretty feeble, mean-spirited stuff, which is clearly an amplified sensibility in this edit.

Yeah, figured. I know he was going for a more horror-centered John Waters-esque film, but I don't think he was intending it to be as harsh as it reportedly comes across. From what I gather, and based on what I have heard of the ending and the producers' decisions regarding the gruesome imagery, the film is far more straight-forwardly nasty than West wanted.

Still, seems like a botched piece all around. I'm still giving it a go after I watch The House of the Devil, but I'm going to have zero expectations.

[Spun Lepton]

I've considered doing an Asylum marathon and writing about it.

Something is SERIOUSLY wrong with me ...

[MadMan]

A topic I've been pondering today - Who are the biggest all-time dickholes in horror movies?

Here (http://frommidnight.blogspot.com/2010/02/midnight-top-5-dickholes-in-horror.html)'s what I said.Awesome list. I haven't seen most of them in action, but Harry Cooper stands out extremely well. And in the end, the bastard got what he deserved. You no fuck with Ben, man.


Moreover, you're so annoying that even Michael Myers, who is the personification of EVIL, had you in a car and LET YOU GO because you're THAT annoying. Congratulations, you're the only person older than 10 that Michael's ever spared. I still don't believe he really killed you out in that field, because your scream is so piercing that he probably ran the opposite direction while your neon blood healed itself to let you go on living your terrifyingly awful existence.Hilarious. I didn't find her as annoying as you did, Mike, but then again I was too busy being bothered by how truly God-awful H5 really was. Yes I know I was warned, and yet I proceeded to watch the movie, anyways :|

Also I really should, um, visit your blog more often. I actually forgot it existed....

[Grouchy]

I've considered doing an Asylum marathon and writing about it.

Something is SERIOUSLY wrong with me ...
I like it.

[jenniferofthejungle]

I watched Mr. Brooks.

I'm having trouble processing it because it was a thriller with little thrills, yet it had Dane Cook getting a shovel to the face. How could I not recommend anything that shows that douchebag getting a shovel to the face?

[jenniferofthejungle]

I've considered doing an Asylum marathon and writing about it.

Something is SERIOUSLY wrong with me ...


Asylum marathon?

[megladon8]

Asylum marathon?


That awful movie production company that makes blatant rip-offs of movies that are in theatres.

Like when I Am Legend was out, they had a movie on DVD shelves called I Am Omega.

[The Mike]

Hollywood Video down the street is closing. I went crazy in the horror section and got the following for $3.99 each.

And Now The Screaming Starts!
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (2005)
Curse of the Demon/Night of the Demon
Don't Torture a Duckling
Exorcismo
God Told Me To
Hatchet For The Honeymoon
The Hitch-Hiker (not horror, but I'm rollin')
Horror of Frankenstein
Private Parts (1972)
Visiting Hours

I also pulled in a copy of the out-of-print horror about horrors, Popcorn, which I already have but couldn't let go to someone ungrateful. Thus, I'm giving it away at my blog (http://frommidnight.blogspot.com/2010/02/midnight-cult-dvd-christmas-plus-fmwls.html).

[megladon8]

Mike have you seen God Told Me To before?

[Rowland]

Zombieland sucked. It's so relentlessly self-amused, culminating in that poorly executed, hipster-baiting cameo, that I wanted to gag. And where the fuck are all the zombies?

[Raiders]

that poorly executed, hipster-baiting cameo

Poorly executed? Hipster-baiting? Whatever, dude.

[Rowland]

Poorly executed? Hipster-baiting? Whatever, dude.Sure. Poorly executed in that it overplays his entrance and then can't think of anything better to do with him than have the actors restage a scene from his seminal '80s classic before he's shot, and hipster-baiting in that his being there playing himself is somehow a joke in of itself, which reeks more of pandering back-patting than anything. His cameo in Get Smart was better both for being more succinct and less self-conscious, though I'll admit his Garfield line in this movie was one of its few laughs.

[Raiders]

can't think of anything better to do with him than have the actors restage a scene from his seminal '80s classic

Which is hilarious.

The whole sequence is awkward and pointless in the context of the film, but I found it very inspired, particularly his own riff on himself. I don't think there is anything "hipster" about that, whether you find it funny or not.

[Rowland]

Check this out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcLxsOJK9bs&feature=player_embedded), the first cinematic adaptation of Frankenstein from 1910. There's some really interesting stuff here, including Frankenstein's birth and the creative use of mirrors.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Which is hilarious.

The whole sequence is awkward and pointless in the context of the film, but I found it very inspired, particularly his own riff on himself. I don't think there is anything "hipster" about that, whether you find it funny or not.

Were there any scarf wearing, coffee drinking, Shins listening white kids in that scene, is the real question.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Regarding the cameo:

I like Bill Murray. I liked the cameo. I don't know where hipsterism enters into that equation.

[Pop Trash]

I wanna rep you Rowland since I thought it was one the worst movies I saw last year (although I admit the fact that most of my IRL friends loved it made me like it even less), but I did think that scene was pretty great.

[Rowland]

I like Bill Murray. I liked the cameo. I don't know where hipsterism enters into that equation.It felt like a cheap laugh to me, catering to the 20-somethings who burst into titters over the mere appearance of Murray in anything.

[Ezee E]

It felt like a cheap laugh to me, catering to the 20-somethings who burst into titters over the mere appearance of Murray in anything.
You make it sound like Bill Murray in a movie is a bad thing.

[Rowland]

You make it sound like Bill Murray in a movie is a bad thing.Well, in a lame movie like this, his appearance feels more like desperation, especially when his card is overplayed.

[Winston*]

There's a perfectly good reason twenty somethings "burst into titters" over the appearance of Bill Murray in things: Bill Murray is really funny.

[Rowland]

Sure, but in this instance, it feels like pandering. Harrelson's reverent slobbering all over Murray isn't too far off from how I imagine the filmmakers themselves would (and likely did) respond. They don't include him for a funny performance (though he is still the funniest performer in the movie), but for the OMGWTF! factor. It's too belabored IMO, about as much so as this redundant discussion is becoming.

[Scar]

There's a perfectly good reason twenty somethings "burst into titters" over the appearance of Bill Murray in things: Bill Murray is really funny.

Rep.

[bac0n]

Boy am I glad I've seen Zombieland already. You Bill Murray namecallers would have spoiled a major surprise if I hadn't. :frustrated:

[Grouchy]

I didn't like Zombieland either, but that scene was stand-alone great.

[MadMan]

Boy am I glad I've seen Zombieland already. You Bill Murray namecallers would have spoiled a major surprise if I hadn't. :frustrated:That's what I'm also thinking.


Zombieland sucked. It's so relentlessly self-amused, culminating in that poorly executed, hipster-baiting cameo, that I wanted to gag. And where the fuck are all the zombies?I believe I watched a different movie than you did. That last line especially proves it :P

The first scene had a zombie, the main character battled a zombie at one point in a flashback, there were zombies encountered along their journey, and the last act of the movie had a shit ton of zombies. Also hipster? What? I don't care if you hated the movie, but these comments I must take great issue with.

[Rowland]

The first scene had a zombie, the main character battled a zombie at one point in a flashback, there were zombies encountered along their journey, and the last act of the movie had a shit ton of zombies. Yeah, I watched the movie. My point was that for a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, long stretches of the movie seem almost consequence-free, with only a handful of zombies appearing as the narrative dictates. Its pacing of zombie encounters has a shuffling quality that renders the film essentially suspense-free and unconvincing, unlike Shaun of the Dead, which established its world with careful detail and felt genuinely dangerous even as it was about ten times cannier with its humor and genre manipulation.

[Winston*]

Gobstopper The Movie (http://www.gobstoppermovie.com/trailer.html)

w/ Christopher Lloyd

[Grouchy]

"Pacing of zombie encounters" is a funny phrase. Specially when the zombie encounters show such a shuffling quality.

I agree that Zombieland is the poor man's Shaun.

[bac0n]

Call me stupid but I thought Zombieland was more about the characters and the silly ways they dealt with this whole zombie apocalypse thing than it was about the zombies themselves. The zombies were just gravy, and I was perfectly fine with the huge zombie-free stretches, because I thought the interactions, particularly between Columbus and Tallahassee, were so amusing.

[The Mike]

Call me stupid but I thought Zombieland was more about the characters and the silly ways they dealt with this whole zombie apocalypse thing than it was about the zombies themselves. The zombies were just gravy, and I was perfectly fine with the huge zombie-free stretches, because I thought the interactions, particularly between Columbus and Tallahassee, were so amusing.
Yep.

[MadMan]

Call me stupid but I thought Zombieland was more about the characters and the silly ways they dealt with this whole zombie apocalypse thing than it was about the zombies themselves. The zombies were just gravy, and I was perfectly fine with the huge zombie-free stretches, because I thought the interactions, particularly between Columbus and Tallahassee, were so amusing.Exactly.

And of course, even though I find it to be pretty damn good, Zombieland is the poor man's Shaun of the Dead. After all that's one of the best horror/comedy movies of all time, and actually so far I haven't seen any that have topped it.

[Dead & Messed Up]

My recent reading of the original Jaws novel caused me to compare the book and the film in some detail here. (http://horrorfilms101.blogspot.com/)

[MadMan]

My recent reading of the original Jaws novel caused me to compare the book and the film in some detail here. (http://horrorfilms101.blogspot.com/)Whoa, that entire post is something I agree with 100%. Great post, DaMU. Also I've officially become a follower of your blog (whatever the hell that means), as I randomly created one a couple nights ago.

[Rowland]

Call me stupid but I thought Zombieland was more about the characters and the silly ways they dealt with this whole zombie apocalypse thing than it was about the zombies themselves. The zombies were just gravy, and I was perfectly fine with the huge zombie-free stretches, because I thought the interactions, particularly between Columbus and Tallahassee, were so amusing.I suppose my lack of even mentioning the characters and their lame dialogue speaks for itself. I dunno, the dorky shut-in learns to nut up instead of shutting up, the quirky redneck craves twinkies real bad, and the sisters share a sisterly bond or something. Can't say I was too taken by them.

[Rowland]

Anyone see Blood Creek? I know it's Schumacher, but the trailer is pretty badass, and the reviews from the few who have seen the damn thing are surprisingly solid.

[Raiders]

I suppose my lack of even mentioning the characters and their lame dialogue speaks for itself. I dunno, the dorky shut-in learns to nut up instead of shutting up, the quirky redneck craves twinkies real bad, and the sisters share a sisterly bond or something. Can't say I was too taken by them.

Yeah, you could dismiss almost any movie with generalizations, but whatever. It ain't great enough to keep harping on about.

In other news, I will be watching The House of the Devil tonight.

[The Mike]

Anyone see Blood Creek? I know it's Schumacher, but the trailer is pretty badass, and the reviews from the few who have seen the damn thing are surprisingly solid.Yeah, it's pretty average. It has some good atmosphere, a zombie horse, and the creepiness of nazi ties going for it. Worth a viewing, I guess.

[Ivan Drago]

I liked the cameo.

I would've liked the cameo if someone didn't fucking SPOIL IT FOR ME.

[Spun Lepton]

Anyone see Blood Creek? I know it's Schumacher, but --

NO.

[The Mike]

Never understood the Schumacher hate. 75% of his movies are good, and two were a departure from two bad superhero movies. Let it go, people.

[The Mike]

Ok, 50%. But still.

[Spun Lepton]

Schumacher's career output has ranged from mediocre to total garbage. No thank you.

[megladon8]

I'd take Schumacher over Emmerich.

[soitgoes...]

I'd take Schumacher over Emmerich.

Without a doubt, but you're still comparing crap to crap.

[Qrazy]

At least Emmerich has good looking crap.

[soitgoes...]

At least Emmerich has good looking crap.

:lol: I guess there's that.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I would've liked the cameo if someone didn't fucking SPOIL IT FOR ME.

Shit.

I went back and edited the post to minimize any more fallout. I'm really sorry, Ivan. I honestly thought that whole thing was common knowledge by now.

[MadMan]

Today I purchased MSTK: The Movie and In The Mouth of Madness for only $5 a piece from Hollywood Video, which is going under. I may go back for more. Never seen "Madness," but I'm a big John Carpenter fan. As for the MSTK movie, I had no idea it was even on DVD-I think when I saw it back in middle school, I watched a VHS copy. Cool. And yes This Island Earth is indeed a bad movie-that's one I have seen without the commentary.

[Rowland]

I've only seen four Schumacher films; Batman Forever, Batman and Robin, and 8MM were terrible, while I actually enjoyed Phone Booth a great deal..

[Spun Lepton]

Today I purchased MSTK: The Movie and In The Mouth of Madness for only $5 a piece from Hollywood Video, which is going under. I may go back for more. Never seen "Madness," but I'm a big John Carpenter fan. As for the MSTK movie, I had no idea it was even on DVD-I think when I saw it back in middle school, I watched a VHS copy. Cool. And yes This Island Earth is indeed a bad movie-that's one I have seen without the commentary.

In the Mouth of Madness has it strengths and weaknesses. I think Carpenter was trying to squeeze a little too much from his FX budget. Story is interesting and fun, but it doesn't FULLY gel for me. There are a couple of clunky performances. That said, there are still a number of great moments throughout.

MST3K: The Movie is just like any of the regular episodes, but without the commercial breaks. Definitely a good grab, though.

[Ezee E]

It amazes me at how much 8MM sucks.

[Rowland]

It amazes me at how much 8MM sucks.It sucks really hard, but with its fantastic cast and scuzzy camp appeal, it is at the very least more compelling on a superficial level than the gaudy pyrotechnics of the Batman abominations. I'm particularly fond of the nonsensically sitar-laced score. :lol:

[bac0n]

What do you guys think of From Beyond? I watched it the other night (thank you Netflix instant streaming).

Pros:
* delightfully cheesy special effects.
* Watching Jeffrey Combs gome unglued never fails to put a smile on my face.
* I've always been partial to horror films with horror films with actual monsters instead of some sharp-object wielding maniac.
* Some of the one-liners are awesome. "he bit his head off! like... a... ginger... bread... man!"

Cons
* gore and monster effects don't hold up as well as, say, Rob Bottin's work in The Thing. Same for some of the makeup work.
* A lot of the on-liners are groan-worthy.
* Sexual themes seemed out of place, gratuitous, and, well, kinda lame.
* I didn't have any reason to care about the heroin.

* stop screaming and get the hell out of there you idiot! Sheesh!
* where in the hell did she get that dynamite from?

[Dukefrukem]

Also agree on the suckage of 8MM.

[Spun Lepton]

* gore and monster effects don't hold up as well as, say, Rob Bottin's work in The Thing. Same for some of the makeup work.

That's a little unfair. Nothing stands up to Bottin's work on The Thing. I don't think he ever even topped it himself.

[megladon8]

I freaking love From Beyond.

It totally trumps Re-Animator.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I freaking love From Beyond.

It totally trumps Re-Animator.

Bah. It's good, and Foree's a good presence, but Re-Animator trumps it. More style, better effects, more compact/efficient story.

[Spun Lepton]

If From Beyond is on Netflix Instant, that means I'm going to be watching it very soon.

[MadMan]

In the Mouth of Madness has it strengths and weaknesses. I think Carpenter was trying to squeeze a little too much from his FX budget. Story is interesting and fun, but it doesn't FULLY gel for me. There are a couple of clunky performances. That said, there are still a number of great moments throughout.Cool. I am going in not expecting a whole lot, but I like Carpenter and the movie has a good cast. Plus the Lovecraft references sure will help.


MST3K: The Movie is just like any of the regular episodes, but without the commercial breaks. Definitely a good grab, though.I'm halfway through watching it, and its still as funny as I remember the first viewing being.


Predator/ (McTiernan, 1987) ***½This almost makes up for some of your previous ratings, Rowland :P :pritch:

From Beyond is on Instant Viewing? Fantastic.

[megladon8]

Bah. It's good, and Foree's a good presence, but Re-Animator trumps it. More style, better effects, more compact/efficient story.


I actually find that other than Jeffrey Combs' (dare I say) iconic performance in Re-Animator, it's all pretty...good. Just good.

From Beyond, on the other hand, features both Jeffrey Combs and Ken Foree at the top of their horror game, better effects with a more interesting premise backing them, and I appreciated that it was closer to its Lovecraft roots than Re-Animator was.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I actually find that other than Jeffrey Combs' (dare I say) iconic performance in Re-Animator, it's all pretty...good. Just good.

From Beyond, on the other hand, features both Jeffrey Combs and Ken Foree at the top of their horror game, better effects with a more interesting premise backing them, and I appreciated that it was closer to its Lovecraft roots than Re-Animator was.

I will give you the latter point. The first segment of From Beyond is essentially the story unfiltered. I dig how Gordon and Paoli logically extend it to feature-length, even if some parts are tedious. I'm using their Lovecraft flicks as a model for my own script.

[megladon8]

I will give you the latter point. The first segment of From Beyond is essentially the story unfiltered. I dig how Gordon and Paoli logically extend it to feature-length, even if some parts are tedious. I'm using their Lovecraft flicks as a model for my own script.


Up until last year*, I had yet to see anyone transfer the themes and narratives of Lovecraft's work into a present day world as well as Stuart Gordon. He's also one of the few filmmakers (if not the only one) who really seems to "get" Lovecraft's morbid, twisted sense of humor.


*when I saw Cthulhu, which frickin' rocks

[D_Davis]

Being a more faithful adaptation =/= a better movie. While From Beyond may, in fact, be closer the its Lovecraftian roots, Re-Animator is a better film in every other way. Although that's not said to belittle From Beyond, because it, too, is enjoyable.

[megladon8]

Being a more faithful adaptation =/= a better movie. While From Beyond may, in fact, be closer the its Lovecraftian roots, Re-Animator is a better film in every other way. Although that's not said to belittle From Beyond, because it, too, is enjoyable.


But its being a faithful adaptation is not the only reason I cited for liking it more.

I found its effects much more inventive and their grotesque outrageousness, like the lovechild of Hellraiser and The Thing, suited perfectly the otherwordly sights we were seeing through this dimensional rip.

And while Re-Animator has a practically inarguably better performance from Jeffrey Combs, the overall cast in was better in From Beyond.

Dang, this is making me want to rewatch them both soon.

[D_Davis]

I just can't get behind that, but that's cool.

I'm glad both films exist.

[Qrazy]

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer - What horrible garbage. I read a bunch of reviews where people called this film realistic. Are you kidding me? There is zero depth to these characters. Furthermore you can't snap someone's neck like that. This is just ugh. UGH.

F-

[Cult]

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer - What horrible garbage. I read a bunch of reviews where people called this film realistic. Are you kidding me? There is zero depth to these characters. Furthermore you can't snap someone's neck like that. This is just ugh. UGH.

F-

Agreed. What the hell was that? People who said this was disturbing probably have never left the house.

[Bosco B Thug]

Night of the Demons 2 was churchy bullshit. Gets really rank about 2/3rds of the way in. Director went on to make Megiddo: The Omega Code. Toothless and lame horror-comedy, although there is unapologetic demon sex, and killer boobs (no... literally) that belong in a femme version of The Thing. Watched it for Zoe Trilling. She's such an... odd actress, but boy is she watchable.

[Rowland]

It's not really horror (though it did leave more of an impression on me as a kid than most proper horror movies), but it feels more appropriate to this thread, so I just wanna reiterate how fucking awesome Predator is. Die Hard is largely considered the definitive McTiernan action flick, but this one has always been more my style.

[Ezee E]

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer - What horrible garbage. I read a bunch of reviews where people called this film realistic. Are you kidding me? There is zero depth to these characters. Furthermore you can't snap someone's neck like that. This is just ugh. UGH.

F-
One of my most hated movies of all time.

[Rowland]

I haven't seen Henry, but I really dig McNaughton's Wild Things. Great Bill Murray cameo by the by. :D

[D_Davis]

I haven't seen Henry, but I really dig McNaughton's Wild Things. Great Bill Murray cameo by the by. :D


Same here.

[bac0n]

That's a little unfair. Nothing stands up to Bottin's work on The Thing. I don't think he ever even topped it himself.

Yeah. It's unfair of Rob Bottin to set such a high benchmark, but alas, I can not help but compare all monster effects that I see to his work. That's what people are supposed to do when a new standard is set.

[Qrazy]

I jus read the plot synopsis of Wild Things. It sounds absolutely terrible.

[Rowland]

I jus read the plot synopsis of Wild Things. It sounds absolutely terrible.Yeah, doesn't seem like something you'd like.

[D_Davis]

Yeah, doesn't seem like something you'd like.

There's probably a Russian equivalent out there.

/burn

[megladon8]

I like Wild Things. It's more clever than you'd expect, and wears its schlocky "erotic thriller" mask with pride.

The sequels I have no time for.

[Qrazy]

There's probably a Russian equivalent out there.

/burn

I don't see how that's a burn as a Russian equivalent would almost certainly add a dimension of pathos and humanity that McNaughton could never muster. :)

[Rowland]

a dimension of pathos and humanityWell yeah, Wild Things has none of that.

[Dukefrukem]

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer - What horrible garbage. I read a bunch of reviews where people called this film realistic. Are you kidding me? There is zero depth to these characters. Furthermore you can't snap someone's neck like that. This is just ugh. UGH.

F-

Haha. Yeh. It's not worse than Bundy though. :|

[MadMan]

Wild Things, like Cruel Intentions, is a cheesy/shlocky guility pleasure that I enjoy.

[Qrazy]

Haha. Yeh. It's not worse than Bundy though. :|

Oh god, I don't want to know.

Have any of you guys seen August Underground's Mordum? Supposed to be the most disgusting film ever made.

[Spun Lepton]

I'm here to settle an argument. Re-Animator is head and shoulders above From Beyond. From Beyond could've been so much better had we been given 5 or 10 minutes to get to know the characters better. The doctor's transformation into a bondage queen might've been more compelling had we known SOMETHING about her. All we know about Foree's character is that he's a good cop and he likes apples. Combs chews the scenery a bit too much, and has zero character above being wide-eyed and panicky.

I was also troubled by the fact that Combs's character apparently wants to destroy the resonator, and has ample opportunity to do so, but NEVER DOES IT. He grabs an axe in one scene, hides in the room with the resonator until somebody else is in the room with him and THEN attacks it? Come on.

The music is overbearing, too.

Aside from that, it had its moments. I really enjoyed the creatures, I *really* loved that basement ... snake ... worm thing, except when you could tell it was a smaller model in a couple shots.

Return of the Living Dead Part II, on the waaaay other hand is an epic misfire on every level. The comedy is constant, hammy and always misplaced, the musical score is garbage, the acting is embarrassing. Every character is a moron, doing things for no other reason than to put themselves into harm's way. Plot developments are next to nonsensical. I didn't bother finishing it.

What I Learned from Return of the Living Dead II -- Radiator steam will flay all of the skin off of a corpse in a matter of seconds.

[megladon8]

Meh, I'm still very much From Beyond >>> Re-Animator.

I want to see some more of Brian De Palma's horror output, but have no idea where to start. All I know is that Sisters is freaking sublime.

[The Mike]

I want to see some more of Brian De Palma's horror output, but have no idea where to start. All I know is that Sisters is freaking sublime.

Dressed to Kill isn't flat out horror, but it's a blasty.

I've been dying to see Obsession for a long time, but it's OOP now.

[The Mike]

Oh, and I'm finally seeing All the Boys Love Mandy Lane tonight. WOOT!

[The Mike]

What was the McNaughton movie between Henry and Wild Things? All I recall is that it had Luke Perry and Ashley Judd, was drooled over by Siskel and Ebert, and sucked REALLY HARD.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Meh, I'm still very much From Beyond >>> Re-Animator.

I want to see some more of Brian De Palma's horror output, but have no idea where to start. All I know is that Sisters is freaking sublime.

No thoughts on Carrie?

I haven't seen The Fury, but heard it's good.

[The Mike]

No thoughts on Carrie?

I haven't seen The Fury, but heard it's good.

Been a while since I saw The Fury, but I recall hating it. :frustrated:

Thus, it's probably good.

[Qrazy]

One of my most hated movies of all time.

I don't understand the praise it gets... both on the Tomatometer and imdb reviews.

[Spun Lepton]

For the record, Henry didn't do a whole lot for me, either.

[megladon8]

Bah, Henry is fantastic. And I've never heard it called "realistic", other than reference to the overall concept - that the most terrifying monster you could ever encounter is just a regular man.


And DaMU, I have seen Carrie, but it was more than 10 years ago. I remember nothing from it. To illustrate my point, I'd forgotten John Travolta was in it 'til I looked at the IMDb page.

[Spun Lepton]

Anybody gonna check out this new horror release on Netflix Instant called Lo? The summary seems kinda interesting, and Netflix thinks I'll like it.


Love presents many challenges to couples...but none so daunting as the one Justin faces with his girlfriend April. Kidnapped by demons, April's mystery begins to unfold when he finds an ancient book that she has left behind. Using the book, he contacts the demon Lo, ordering it to help him rescue his girl from the fiery pits. But Lo has other plans for his new master...dinner being one of them.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1047490/

[megladon8]

Sounds very cool, Spun. I'd like to check that one out.

I like the poster, too....


http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/31/111ul.jpg

[bac0n]

Anybody gonna check out this new horror release on Netflix Instant called Lo? The summary seems kinda interesting, and Netflix appears to think I'll like it.



http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1047490/

very curious about this one. I'll likely be checking it out soon.

On a different note: Let the Right One In... as good as I was expecting it to be, and much more emotionally effecting than I would have guessed. Oh, and leave it to the Swedes to set the movie in a town that makes mine look warm by comparison.

[Spun Lepton]

Here's a review of Lo that makes it sounds like a total bore. Apparently the majority of the movie is Lo and Justin, sitting around and having a long chat. Reviewer says that at 82 minutes, it still feels padded.

http://www.quietearth.us/articles/2009/11/02/AUSTIN-FILM-FEST-09-Review-of-Travis-Betzs-LO

This has gone from "probably watch" to "maybe watch."

[megladon8]

On a different note: Let the Right One In... as good as I was expecting it to be, and much more emotionally effecting than I would have guessed. Oh, and leave it to the Swedes to set the movie in a town that makes mine look warm by comparison.


So glad you enjoyed this one.

Such a beautiful movie.

[The Mike]

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane is definitely a step above the average slasher film, which is kind of a problem at times. I mean, it has so much going for it in a positive regard that it is a little bit of a disappointment when it veers into cliche with its kills and features such a dull killer.

But, the lead performance (or at least the good-lookingness) of Amber Heard is pretty fantastic, and the ending is a welcome one. I'm OK with this one, and don't get why it's not getting released in the States while the likes of the 8 Films to Die For keep happening.

Oh yeah, The Weinsteins suck at life. How could I forget that? :sad:

[hey it's ethan]

Meh, I'm still very much From Beyond >>> Re-Animator.

I want to see some more of Brian De Palma's horror output, but have no idea where to start. All I know is that Sisters is freaking sublime.
Sisters, The Phantom of the Paradise, Carrie, Dressed to Kill and Blow Out are all masterpieces.

[The Mike]

Oh, did anyone else see that MTV is now showing horror movies on Saturday nights through March? Starts this week with Land of the Dead, followed by The Hills Have Eyes, Slither, Deep Blue Sea, and The House of the Devil.

Of course, it's TV and I own those movies, so it doesn't help me, but I like the idea.

[The Mike]

Sisters, The Phantom of the Paradise, Carrie, Dressed to Kill and Blow Out are all masterpieces.I agree with this post 100%. (Except maybe Carrie, but it's still awesome.)

[hey it's ethan]

I agree with this post 100%. (Except maybe Carrie, but it's still awesome.)
Interesting, because it's totally my favorite of the five.

[The Mike]

Interesting, because it's totally my favorite of the five.
Well then, I agree 99% with this post.

[Bosco B Thug]

I liked Henry back when, but I like to think my taste sucked back that long ago.

Perhaps my taste really sucked, because I'll throw in William Lustig's Maniac, which I watched during the same "gritty horror" kick, for bafflingly praised serial killer opuscules, which all of a sudden I'm seeing lauded by my choice online critics Fernando Croce and Ed Gonzalez (#3 of 1980???). That was an ugly movie, I felt.

[Spun Lepton]

Had a few beers in me last night when I fired up THE CHILDREN on Netflix Instant. It's a Troma release that I'd seen as a kid, about a busload of THE CHILDREN that drives through a cloud of TOXIC GAS!!!! and suddenly THE CHILDREN are able to burn people up by touching them. I remembered that the only way they could kill THE CHILDREN was by chopping off their hands.

I fell asleep 20 minutes in. :|

[Dead & Messed Up]

I was also troubled by the fact that Combs's character apparently wants to destroy the resonator, and has ample opportunity to do so, but NEVER DOES IT. He grabs an axe in one scene, hides in the room with the resonator until somebody else is in the room with him and THEN attacks it? Come on.

This is actually a funny point, since I just rewatched it. There's a preposterous moment where Foree convinces the two of them to leave the house...right after they all sleep.

"This place is dangerous, clearly, so we need to escape, but before we do, let's engage in that most vulnerable of all human states for an extended period of time."

[bac0n]

Had a few beers in me last night when I fired up THE CHILDREN on Netflix Instant. It's a Troma release that I'd seen as a kid, about a busload of THE CHILDREN that drives through a cloud of TOXIC GAS!!!! and suddenly THE CHILDREN are able to burn people up by touching them. I remembered that the only way they could kill THE CHILDREN was by chopping off their hands.

I fell asleep 20 minutes in. :|

HOLY CRAP THIS IS ON NETFLIX INSTANT?!?!? I HAVE TO SEE IT RIGH-

*snore*

[Mara]

Hey, my every-horror-film-watching amigos, have any of you ever seen the movie "Ghost Watcher"? (Occasionally called "Ghostwatcher"?)

Turns out I know a couple of people marginally involved with it, and I wondering if it's too painful to watch or not.

[Ivan Drago]

Shit.

I went back and edited the post to minimize any more fallout. I'm really sorry, Ivan. I honestly thought that whole thing was common knowledge by now.

Oh, I wasn't referring to you at all. The weekend after it came out, someone at school spoiled it for me DURING class. Here's how the conversation went:

Me: So, how was Zombieland?
1st Friend: Oh, it was awesome! Jesse Eisenberg freakin' shoots Bill Murray with a shotgun! You can't get any more awesome than that!
2nd Friend: Bill Murray's in it?
1st Friend: Yeah for a little bit.
Me (on the inside): YOU SON OF A MOTHERFUCKING BITCH!!! GAAAH!!!!
3rd Friend: Thank you for spoiling the cameo to everyone in here!

[Spun Lepton]

Zombieland was a blast. Calling it "the American Shaun of the Dead" seems appropriate. I may buy the Blu-ray. The only part that wasn't chocked-full-o-awesome?

Yup. Bill Murray's cameo. The tone of the movie dipped more into parody when he entered the picture. I couldn't help wonder if they had written the script with a vague celebrity in mind to play the Celebrity Zombie, they landed a jackpot with Murray, and then changed the sequence when he got to the set. Their reaction to killing him seemed completely out-of-character for all of them, even Harrelson, who had been gushing over him just a few moments prior. Personally, I would've LOVED to see a ravenous Bill Murray zombie.

Don't get me wrong, the Ghostbusters bit had me laughing my ass off, only 'cuz I was jealous of Tallahassee.

Regardless, I enjoyed it immensely.

[Spun Lepton]

Oh, I came home a little drunk on Friday night and figured I'd finish Bloodsucking Freaks. Like I said, I was a little wasted.

God, what a miserable pile of crap. They wanted so badly to shock the audience, to revolt them. I've never really gotten the whole "sleaze" movement that went on during the late 70s. This and Lustig's Maniac are cut from the same misogynistic cloth. But, where Maniac has disturbingly graphic gore, Bloodsucking Freaks has mannequin parts. As such, it's easy to not be nearly as disturbed as they'd like you to be. But, some of the shocking ideas are only shocking because of the purposely cultivated misogyny. There's one tasteless sequence where a "mad doctor" drills into the back of the head of a restrained woman, inserts a straw, and sucks up the titular blood. In the very next scene the good doctor is thrown into a case full of feral naked women, who proceed to tear him limb from limb.

I won't SPOILER the next bit in a bid to dissuade anybody from watching it. I don't think I'll have much problem.

The film ends with said feral naked women being released from their "cage" (which was nothing more than a flimsy set of bars set across one portion of a room), and killing the evil "Sardu" and his small-person (what's the PC term these days?), assistant. You're never treated to an extended death scene for any of them, of course. The final shot has one feral woman biting into a hotdog, and it's Sardu's dick. Well, gosh, that completely makes up for all the bullshit earlier. Fuck you, movie.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Updated my blog (http://horrorfilms101.blogspot.com/) with an argument/history regarding horror remakes, and why they're not worth my time anymore.

Excerpt:


Most of these films can barely be called remakes, as they take the most basic of ideas from the original film and create a new narrative that plays to their directors' interests and attitudes. For example, The Thing came about for two key reasons. Firstly, co-producer Stuart Cohen dug up the original story, on a whim, and thought it would make a great film. Secondly, Carpenter was always a huge fan of the original (witness him name-checking it in Halloween). It was only after they crafted a screenplay and built a package that Universal took interest in the film.

Ooh! Also changed the site banner from From Beyond to The Haunting.

[MadMan]

On Saturday I finally saw Monster Squad. It reminded me that 80s horror movies are all about being fun and entertaining, which even though I prefer 70s horror is kind of refreshing. This decade lacks most of that when it comes to horror, but then the current climate really is rather bleak and nasty, and somewhat mirroring the 70s anyways. I liked the kids, who acted like real actual children, but I take issue with Frankenstein's monster being evil-he was just merely misunderstood.

[Spun Lepton]

On Saturday I finally saw Monster Squad.

UGH. Hate that stupid movie. I liked it OK when it was in the theater, and I was 15, but these days ... ugh, just terrible. It's like a Dollar-Store version of The Goonies, with Universal Monsters mixed in. Frankenstein's Monster was the most annoying of the bunch, spewing stupid 80s catchphrases left and right ... ugggh. Not to mention the kids were nothing more than irritating. UGH. Hate this movie.

No, I don't like The Goonies, either. Liked it better than this tripe, though.

[Spun Lepton]

Oh. Oh, yeah.

Don't ask me why, but I put in the final 30 minutes of Return of the Living Dead 2. Let's just say that I'm quite shocked I actually watched it an entire hour the first time before turning it off.

So, apparently, after the success of the original, the producers rushed out and hired the first jaggoff they could find with a zombie script, had him adapt his pile of shit to fit the Return mythology, and then let him direct it. What a mess. I don't even know how to begin to break down the badness on display.

Said jaggoff's experience at the point of ROTLD2 was ... Shock Waves (boring underwater Nazi zombies!), King Frat, and ... and ... Meatballs 2 ... :|

[megladon8]

I'm really liking Ti West, and I can't wait to see The House of the Devil in a couple of weeks.

Trigger Man is great, and an improvement over The Roost in many ways. The final quarter is tense, tense tense. You could cut that tension with a knife.

[Winston*]

I couldn't help wonder if they had written the script with a vague celebrity in mind to play the Celebrity Zombie,

It was originally supposed to be Patrick Swayze as an actual zombie, which would've been bad, but then cancer and stuff. When Bill Murray was cast he got them to change the character to one with lines I think.