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

[Rock]

Hello everyone.

[Raiders]

Ahoy to both new members. Welcome.

[Spun Lepton]

Always glad to see new horror fans.

[Rock]

I might as well ask, what is the opinion on Lucio Fulci here? I saw Zombie for the first time a few weeks ago, and I was really bored for the most part (aside from a few atmospheric stretches throughout). The pacing was punishingly slow, and all the encounters with the zombies were staged really awkwardly. If I didn't like it, is the rest of his work still worth getting into?

[Raiders]

I might as well ask, what is the opinion on Lucio Fulci here? I saw Zombie for the first time a few weeks ago, and I was really bored for the most part (aside from a few atmospheric stretches throughout). The pacing was punishingly slow, and all the encounters with the zombies were staged really awkwardly. If I didn't like it, is the rest of his work still worth getting into?

Hear hear. Seen that and The House by the Cemetery and found both dull as hell with a lumbering style and as you say, poor staging.

[Spun Lepton]

I might as well ask, what is the opinion on Lucio Fulci here? I saw Zombie for the first time a few weeks ago, and I was really bored for the most part (aside from a few atmospheric stretches throughout). The pacing was punishingly slow, and all the encounters with the zombies were staged really awkwardly. If I didn't like it, is the rest of his work still worth getting into?

I love his late-70s/early-80s output, but only because it's wonderfully cheesy. Zombie is probably his most "polished" of the bunch, so if you didn't like that, you probably won't like anything else. That said, I love to show people City of the Living Dead, and not only because it's faiirly batshit, but it makes little sense and is ridiculously gory.

[Rock]

That said, I love to show people City of the Living Dead, and not only because it's faiirly batshit, but it makes little sense and is ridiculously gory.

That makes it sound somewhat intriguing.

[D_Davis]

I might as well ask, what is the opinion on Lucio Fulci here? I saw Zombie for the first time a few weeks ago, and I was really bored for the most part (aside from a few atmospheric stretches throughout). The pacing was punishingly slow, and all the encounters with the zombies were staged really awkwardly. If I didn't like it, is the rest of his work still worth getting into?

He's a hack who sometimes, accidentally, stumbles upon something cool and worthwhile.


Can't name a single film of his that I like 100%, but there are parts of a few of his films that I think are cool.

[Spun Lepton]

Can't name a single film of his that I like 100%, but there are parts of a few of his films that I think are cool.

City of the Living Dead. The reporter who nearly kills Katriona MacColl while trying to rescue her from being buried alive.

[D_Davis]

City of the Living Dead. The reporter who nearly kills Katriona MacColl while trying to rescue her from being buried alive.

City of the Living Dead is easily his most accomplished film.

[MadMan]

Hello everyone.Yo Rock. Welcome.


Five years ago.Heh okay. Post more often man.

I finally viewed John Dies At The End last night, and here are my thoughts reposted from my blog (spoilered due to length):

Yes I know this movie is based on a book. Considering that the movie adaption just freaked me out and left me wondering exactly what the hell I just watched, I want to read the book. Damn soy sauce man, or the black oil, or whatever that thing really was….I don’t understand. Viewing this movie while drinking failed to do me any favors: the terror I felt was amplified more by the alcohol. I need to see John Dies At The End sober, and yet I’m afraid to because the movie took me to dark places, areas I didn’t want to go. It’s fitting to watch a movie about a drug that amplifies the human mind, sweeping the brain and psyche into worlds that you did not think were possible to enter into to while intoxicated on beer.

David is the film’s main protagonist, telling Arnie a story about his misadventures. Arnie of course does not believe David, yet David proceeds to inform him about the creepy nightmares that dwell beneath our main plain of normal life. The real world is not the real world, no, for there are other lands out there waiting to be found. All you have to do is inject or digest this black subsistence into your body, thus heightening ones perception and expanding ones mind into the infinite. This what I think anyways, as the film is never really clear as to how this drug exists in the first place. Oh and Clancy Brown knows exactly what’s going on because well he’s Clancy Brown. Duh.

Even though the last act drags a bit this is a film that dives into that special brand of weirdness that you never forget. I’ll remember the random worm creatures, the magical Jamaican guy who introduces David to the possibility that his understanding of the universe is too limited, and that at some point the dog has a better knowledge of what’s going on than David, John, or us, the audience, actually do. Bark Lee rules. Its been too long since I’ve viewed a movie quite like this one, where I’m not sure what is going on but it doesn’t matter since my mind is completely blown and I’m in awe of what is happening. We need more films like this one, not less.

[MadMan]

As for Fulci I actually liked Don't Torture a Duckling although I still find that movie to be decent at best. I've also seen The Beyond, which absolutely hilarious and a complete mediocre mess. Its not boring, though, so there is that. I do want to see more of his movies though as he appears to be a very poor man's Bava/Argento.

[Spun Lepton]

As for Fulci I actually liked Don't Torture a Duckling although I still find that movie to be decent at best. I've also seen The Beyond, which absolutely hilarious and a complete mediocre mess. Its not boring, though, so there is that. I do want to see more of his movies though as he appears to be a very poor man's Bava/Argento.

I would argue if something is unintentionally hilarious, like The Beyond, that it's anything but mediocre. Ham-fisted, poorly scripted, over-acted, confused, cheap, and filled with numerous poor decisions? Yes. I mean ... those spiders ... did Fulci thnk nobody would notice? Anyway, I love the movie, and not in spite of these problems, but because of them. It also has one of the greatest bad-movie lines in history, "I gave you carte blanche, not a blank check!"

[Dukefrukem]

He's a hack who sometimes accidentallynever stumbles upon something cool and worthwhile.




Fixed

[Spun Lepton]

Fixed

Vomiting your own intestines is cool and worthwhile. 9 out of 10 doctors agree.

[Rowland]

Going by the responses so far, I may be Fulci's biggest fan around here.

[MadMan]

I would argue if something is unintentionally hilarious, like The Beyond, that it's anything but mediocre. Ham-fisted, poorly scripted, over-acted, confused, cheap, and filled with numerous poor decisions? Yes. I mean ... those spiders ... did Fulci thnk nobody would notice? Anyway, I love the movie, and not in spite of these problems, but because of them. It also has one of the greatest bad-movie lines in history, "I gave you carte blanche, not a blank check!"I love that line, actually as it made me laugh. A lot. Look the movie is a mess but I don't hate it and I want to see it again just to note if my opinion changes. TCM Underground aired it and then the original Night of the Living Dead one Friday night, which was a sweet classic zombie double bill. Sadly its not available on Netflix Instant Viewing. I think I have City of the Living Dead in my DVD queue though.

[Rowland]

City of the Living Dead, The Beyond, Don't Torture a Duckling, The New York Ripper, and the unfairly ignored Murder Rock are my favorites by Fulci. Zombie, The House By the Cemetery, The Black Cat, and Four of the Apocalypse are alright, A Lizard in a Woman's Skin and The Psychic have worthy qualities but are largely forgettable (though the latter is the source of this tune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzYDqUUcuzA) from Kill Bill), whereas Zombie 3 and Conquest are terrible but compulsively watchable madness.

[Rowland]

After the botched Blu-ray transfer for Black Sabbath (I'll probably import the Region B release for that one), it's good to see the undervalued Five Dolls for an August Moon receive a good-looking transfer (http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews38/five_dolls_for_an_august_moon. htm).

[Dead & Messed Up]

I might as well ask, what is the opinion on Lucio Fulci here? I saw Zombie for the first time a few weeks ago, and I was really bored for the most part (aside from a few atmospheric stretches throughout). The pacing was punishingly slow, and all the encounters with the zombies were staged really awkwardly. If I didn't like it, is the rest of his work still worth getting into?

I've only tried a couple, and I came to the same conclusion. Unless his style deviates significantly from Zombie and The Beyond at some point, I'm not inclined to search further.

[Spun Lepton]

I've only tried a couple, and I came to the same conclusion. Unless his style deviates significantly from Zombie and The Beyond at some point, I'm not inclined to search further.

You haven't seen City of the Living Dead? Man, you are missing out on some grade-A quality cheese.

[Rock]

Murder Rock

I don't like this title.

[Rowland]

I don't like this title.You're right; the full title, Murder-Rock: Dancing Death, is better.

[Rowland]

You haven't seen City of the Living Dead? Man, you are missing out on some grade-A quality cheese.And it's a borderline great movie in my estimation, cheese or no cheese.

[Rock]

You're right; the full title, Murder-Rock: Dancing Death, is better.

Oh, my dislike was less from the actual title and more from not wanting to get murdered. :D

Although Dancing Death does sound better.

[Spun Lepton]

And it's a borderline great movie in my estimation, cheese or no cheese.

Hey, I'm not going to argue. I adore the movie.

[Spun Lepton]

I've heard really mixed reviews, but I may rent Frankenstein's Army this weekend. I'm preparing for the worst.

[Dukefrukem]

Finally watched Tucker & Dale vs Evil. Very fun.

[Mr. Pink]

Man, I expected more You're Next conversation to be going on. Did anyone else beside Winston see it?

I loved it. It's gory, and funny in the right spots. One of the better horror movies I've seen in theaters (and in general) recently. It would be a shame for horror fans to miss this in the theater, since it's typically not the kind of movie that gets such a wide release. I mean, Ti West is in it, and not even his movies open as wide at this did.

[MadMan]

I probably should have viewed You're Next by now, however my next planned movie viewing is The World's End instead. I'm just broke right now plus working more than I normally do, so theater viewings have been scarce all year long.

[Dukefrukem]

I don't go to see horror movies in theaters (with the exception of a few, Evil Dead, Cabin in the Woods)

I hate hearing people react and it removes me from the experience.

[MadMan]

Honestly I believe that horror movies should be viewed by yourself in a dark room late at night. While possibly also drinking. Although the best test of a horror film is to watch it during the day: I viewed Frailty on a nice afternoon and was freaked out, and Alien (1979) scared the shit out of me even though I was watching it during the day. My favorite viewings though have taken place on overcast fall days, two of them being The Evil Dead II and The Blair Witch Project. After seeing each the outside got a little darker, and the fall leaves seemed a little less nicer, heh.

[Dukefrukem]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXFYU3v-wL4

[MadMan]

Even though I know the ending I still want to see that film. I didn't know there was a DC.

[Rock]

Even though I know the ending I still want to see that film. I didn't know there was a DC.

It's very good, and a lot of the fun is in how deliberate and maddening the build-up is. Knowing the reveal may kill some of your enjoyment, but there's plenty to love still.

[Rock]

I watched John Dies at the End. It was alright. It never really goes too deep into all the ideas its playing with, but given just how many of those ideas it's packing, that's somewhat excusable. Also, with the weak special effects and the relatively pedestrian filmmaking, it never reaches the energy level required for the material. It's still reasonably entertaining, though.

[MadMan]

It's very good, and a lot of the fun is in how deliberate and maddening the build-up is. Knowing the reveal may kill some of your enjoyment, but there's plenty to love still.Well part of the problem is that the Internet spoiled it for me. The other problem is that I caught most of the godawful remake on TV. I'll never be able to forget Nick Cage screaming about the bees. Among other horrible, hilarious things.

I wrote recently about John Dies At The End, but the summing up of my piece is that despite the film's obvious flaws I really enjoyed the hell out of it. Well that and the fact that I thought some elements were rather creepy. John is a bit dull but his friend-the main character-was fleshed out well enough.

[Irish]

I'm going to go on record and say I am finished with the horror genre. "Conjuring" and "Insidious 2" are my two last scary movies.

http://news.moviefone.com/2013/09/10/james-wan-insidious-chapter-2-interview/

Now that seems a shame.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I watched Rosemary's Baby last night for the first time since high school and... I'm pretty sure I still didn't like it. It's such a slow build up of tension that really, in the end, goes nowhere other than to a corny scene in an old folks' apartment with a draped-in-black bassinet. There are a few suspenseful moments here and there, and Farrow was very good, but it just sort of ambles through its paces, progressing to each predictable next step until it makes its way to a shrug of the shoulders conclusion. You can parse out a few interesting discussions on the nature of a parent or on abortion from the narrative, and that's in the film's favor, but it just isn't enough to excuse a 135 minute exercise in mundane. The fact that this film is held in higher esteem than Polanski's far superior Repulsion is just a damn shame.

[Dukefrukem]

The Omen > Rosemary's Baby

[Raiders]

I watched Rosemary's Baby last night for the first time since high school and... I'm pretty sure I still didn't like it. It's such a slow build up of tension that really, in the end, goes nowhere other than to a corny scene in an old folks' apartment with a draped-in-black bassinet. There are a few suspenseful moments here and there, and Farrow was very good, but it just sort of ambles through its paces, progressing to each predictable next step until it makes its way to a shrug of the shoulders conclusion. You can parse out a few interesting discussions on the nature of a parent or on abortion from the narrative, and that's in the film's favor, but it just isn't enough to excuse a 135 minute exercise in mundane. The fact that this film is held in higher esteem than Polanski's far superior Repulsion is just a damn shame.


I don't... corny... what is happening...

[Kurosawa Fan]

I don't... corny... what is happening...

There is nothing frightening, unsettling, disturbing, etc. etc. etc. about those final moments. It's been telegraphed from about the twenty minute mark. Those people aren't threatening, they're just sort of old geezers hanging out and worshiping Satan. Even her decision in the end left me shrugging my shoulders as I turned off the TV. I just can't get on the wavelength of that film. I've admitted to being wrong in the past for various reasons. This time, I feel like high school me made a fairly sound judgement.

[D_Davis]

I think that's kind of the point of the book and film. They aren't supposed to be frightening, unsettling, or disturbing at all. They're supposed to be seen as completely normal. That's why it works so well as a commentary on evil and fears in society, especially at the time the book was written and the film was made. It's kind of another take on the whole pod people thing. They're completely normal, except they worship Satan!

It works because the story is really just a family drama touching upon the fears of becoming new parents, except here the ultimate fear, the paranoia, is real, and not only real but seemingly totally normal.

[Raiders]

There is nothing frightening, unsettling, disturbing, etc. etc. etc. about those final moments. It's been telegraphed from about the twenty minute mark. Those people aren't threatening, they're just sort of old geezers hanging out and worshiping Satan. Even her decision in the end left me shrugging my shoulders as I turned off the TV. I just can't get on the wavelength of that film. I've admitted to being wrong in the past for various reasons. This time, I feel like high school me made a fairly sound judgement.

Yeah, we obviously just judge what the film is differently. You are 100% correct. There is nothing terrifying about them--they are a bunch of old folks standing around, having a social with the Antichrist in the crib next to them--except, that is positively unsettling and terrifying. It is a film not about the supernatural, but the perfectly normal. Oh yeah, and your baby is the Antichrist.

I agree with Davis, it really is just the 100% end-point of new parent paranoia, the mother who is afraid of what her baby will be (it isn't that far removed from the amazing fears and endless tests expecting mothers go through for the umpteen illnesses your baby may have and wreak upon you) and the conspiracy from those that put her here (how many expecting mothers begin to resent and despise their husband / boyfriend?). I love that the ending is so strange--it actually confirms her fears. It's the literal translation of what the worst outcome could have been. It is intentionally weird and at the same time, kind of amusing. Polanski was certainly not trying to be classicly scary or menacing there, but the off kilter and nightmare-fulfillment still works brilliantly for me.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I think that's kind of the point of the book and film. They aren't supposed to be frightening, unsettling, or disturbing at all. They're supposed to be seen as completely normal. That's why it works so well as a commentary on evil and fears in society, especially at the time the book was written and the film was made. It's kind of another take on the whole pod people thing. They're completely normal, except they worship Satan!

It works because the story is really just a family drama touching upon the fears of becoming new parents, except here the ultimate fear, the paranoia, is real, and not only real but seemingly totally normal.

Yeah, I definitely picked up on this, and even touched on it in my original post, but the film is just so bland and predictable along the way that those themes aren't enough to save it from being a mundane experience.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Yeah, we obviously just judge what the film is differently. You are 100% correct. There is nothing terrifying about them--they are a bunch of old folks standing around, having a social with the Antichrist in the crib next to them--except, that is positively unsettling and terrifying. It is a film not about the supernatural, but the perfectly normal. Oh yeah, and your baby is the Antichrist.

I agree with Davis, it really is just the 100% end-point of new parent paranoia, the mother who is afraid of what her baby will be (it isn't that far removed from the amazing fears and endless tests expecting mothers go through for the umpteen illnesses your baby may have and wreak upon you) and the conspiracy from those that put her here (how many expecting mothers begin to resent and despise their husband / boyfriend?). I love that the ending is so strange--it actually confirms her fears. It's the literal translation of what the worst outcome could have been. It is intentionally weird and at the same time, kind of amusing. Polanski was certainly not trying to be classicly scary or menacing there, but the off kilter and nightmare-fulfillment still works brilliantly for me.

I can totally see your point of view, and I wish the film worked for me that way. I think what's working against it for me is the fact that the neighbors aren't very normal. They're odd and awkward. Had they just been a normal neighbor next door, perhaps the effect would have been greater. Instead they exist sort of in the middle, between normal next-door neighbor and disturbing, menacing presence. Also, had the film been a bit snappier rather than long and rambling, perhaps I wouldn't have begun to lose interest. As is, I just couldn't work my way back into the groove of the film after it lost me (pretty sure this happened during the twenty or thirty minute stretch where the only development seemed to be the pains she was having, which eventually amounted to not a whole lot), and as such, the end was, like I said, fairly corny and shrug-inducing.

[MadMan]

Repulsion and The Omen are both excellent films, but they aren't as good as Rosemary's Baby.

[Grouchy]

Rosemary's Baby is a masterpiece of cinema, on a class all of its own.

The Omen... is a kind of dated-but-still-fun Horror film.

[Rock]

Repulsion and The Omen are both pretty good films, but they aren't as good as Rosemary's Baby.

Adjusted slightly to reflect my opinion.

[Rock]

I watched The Strange Colour of Your Body's Tears, by Helene Cattet and Bruno Forzani (the people behind Amer, which I've yet to see). I don't think I particularly liked it. It looks great and there are aspects of its construction I found pretty interesting, but it started off too manically for me to get into its groove. Those less averse to headtrips/mindfucks might enjoy it, though.

[Irish]

http://youtu.be/2CgM1UG6ekI

This is interesting (or, at least more interesting than you'd think): Mick Garris talks about the genesis of "Psycho IV: The Beginning" (1990).

http://trailersfromhell.com/psycho-iv-beginning/

[Irish]

Slightly crazy? A seven hour documentary about the history of the "Friday the 13th" franchise. Features over 150 interviews with casts and crews. It's narrated by ... Corey Feldman.

Interview with the director: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/25/a-seven-hour-documentary-about-a-horror-franchise-the-director-explains/

Site: http://crystallakememories.net

[Dukefrukem]

Holy overkill Batman!

I'll still watch it.

I'm getting my October Horror Movie Watch List together. I vow to watch 3+ horror movies a week with the GF.

[MadMan]

Slightly crazy? A seven hour documentary about the history of the "Friday the 13th" franchise. Features over 150 interviews with casts and crews. It's narrated by ... Corey Feldman.

Interview with the director: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/25/a-seven-hour-documentary-about-a-horror-franchise-the-director-explains/

Site: http://crystallakememories.netHeh yeah I heard about that film. Sounds outrageously long but I want to see it. I love the F13th series.

Also while my Horrorfest has been a bit slow I've picked up the pace recently. Still three reviews behind though. My latest write up was on The Evil Dead remake, which I liked despite going in expecting to hate it.

[Spun Lepton]

My latest write up was on The Evil Dead remake, which I liked despite going in expecting to hate it.

I didn't even WANT to like it, but after seeing it ... I picked up the Blu-Ray. (Hey, it was on sale at Target for $20!!)

Notice my avatar, even.

[Dead & Messed Up]

You guys are weird. The flick was meh. Opinion given.

[Dukefrukem]

It was terrible. Not even Meh. Doesn't deserve to be in my collection.

[Scar]

I gave it a big fat EH. It'll probably improve while viewing with the likes of Spun, bac0n, and perhaps our buddy Steve.

[MadMan]

I didn't even WANT to like it, but after seeing it ... I picked up the Blu-Ray. (Hey, it was on sale at Target for $20!!)

Notice my avatar, even.Oh so that's where its from. I couldn't really tell since the 160 x 90 format sometimes doesn't work with certain pictures.

Some aspects of the remake were pretty well done. Other parts, not so much. You can read my review on my blog if you feel like it.

[megladon8]

Evil Dead remake was surprisingly decent. Not great by any means, nowhere near the original(s), but a case of "it could have been ssssooo much worse."

Jane Levy carried it well.

[Irish]

383693269068050432

383850894938238976

:lol:

[Ezee E]

Rowdy Roddy Piper is a guest at the Mile High Horror Festival. Linda Blair is there too... I will not be there, sadly.

[MadMan]

My Horrorfest is being slowed down by real life, sports, and work. Plus Netflix via DVD taking really way too long (two-three days) to reach me. I'll probably end up viewing into November again.

[Spun Lepton]

Posting this link while at work so 1) I can share it with fellow horror geeks and 2) I can watch the videos when I get home.

http://theweek.com/article/index/250755/9-horror-films-under-9-minutes

They have The Cat with Hands, which is one of my favorite horror shorts. Definitely check it out Bedfellows, too, if you have not.

[Raiders]

Yeah, I think Alma was posted elsewhere on the site a while back, but that's excellent stuff as well.

[Irish]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/0a4b26a55d903d78042d9dfeec6d42 f7/tumblr_mufky6Npxc1qbhnrvo1_500 .jpg

[Irish]

Also, in case you missed it: Pages from Guillermo del Toro's notebooks (http://www.film.com/photos/guillermo-del-toros-incredible-sketchbooks) (features "Pacific Rim," "Pan's Labyrinth," & "Hellboy").

[Dukefrukem]

Ugh?

http://media.aintitcool.com/media/uploads/2013/draven/wolf-creek-2-poster_large.jpg

[Kurosawa Fan]

I watched House (1977) this week. I'm... sort of speechless. Not at all what I was expecting, or in the mood for that night. My wife is still angry with me.

[Raiders]

Mike: Hey, let's watch House tonight.
Val: Ooh, I like Hugh Laurie.
...
a flying severed head bites someone's ass
...
Val: Hope the couch is comfy.

[EyesWideOpen]

What were you expecting?

[Rowland]

Hmm, I wouldn't mind giving House a spin this Halloween season, such an awesome movie.


Ugh?More like, Ooh!

[Irish]

Ugh?

The original was lean and brutal.

That tagline worries me, like they're trying to appeal to a youngish crowd with "Wolf Creek 2: Spring Break."

[Scar]

The original was lean and brutal.

That tagline worries me, like they're trying to appeal to a youngish crowd with "Wolf Creek 2: Spring Break."

Agreed on both counts.

One of my favorite memories from the first one:

The chick is trying to load the revolver and grabs a rifle round. I just about flipped shit, until you see that the round doesn't fit, and she keeps looking for, and trying, different ammunition.

[Dukefrukem]

The original was lean and brutal.

That tagline worries me, like they're trying to appeal to a youngish crowd with "Wolf Creek 2: Spring Break."

Loved the original. Why make a sequel though?

[Irish]

The chick is trying to load the revolver and grabs a rifle round. I just about flipped shit, until you see that the round doesn't fit, and she keeps looking for, and trying, different ammunition.

Ha, agreed. A great moment.


Loved the original. Why make a sequel though?

I'm so cynical about this shit now that any time I see the number "2" on a film poster, I take that as shorthand for "We have no imagination and just want your money."

[Raiders]

I would imagine a sequel was Mclean's best chance for sufficient funding. Also reviews at Venice were really strong.

[MadMan]

Mike: Hey, let's watch House tonight.
Val: Ooh, I like Hugh Laurie.
...
a flying severed head bites someone's ass
...
Val: Hope the couch is comfy.Best response. I'm laughing really hard right now.

Luckily for KF he is already married to Val. House is not exactly the best date movie heh. Should have watched House (1986) instead. Wait no not that one either. Nevermind....

[MadMan]

BTW I forgot to extend a warm welcome to Rock, who is a cool dude based on what I've encountered of him in the RT horror thread. Of course its possible he is really a serial killer and will murder us all, but that's a risk I'm willing to take.

[EyesWideOpen]

I've seen House with multiple people multiple times and even the people who didn't love it thought it was at least bizarre and never boring so I was just wondering what kind of movie someone would be expecting where they would be actively angry about having watched it.

[Rowland]

Rewatched Bava's Black Sunday and spent the first half being convinced that I was wrong all those years ago when it left me underwhelmed, only for the draggy and directorially uninspired second half to prove me wrong and justify my initial reaction, though I probably didn't fully appreciate at the time just how awesome the gothic atmospherics are before it suddenly seems like Bava stops giving a damn. Despite its reputation, Black Sunday remains one of my least favorite of his films.

[Grouchy]

Saw Frankenhooker. It's a hell of a lot of fun, but for Henenlotter, I don't think it gets any better than Brain Damage which I've seen plenty of times and never loses its appeal.

[Pop Trash]

The original Child's Play holds up surprisingly well. It's kind of astounding how much tension they derive from a lifeless doll with a giant plastic grin on his face, almost to the point where a little bit of air is let out once he becomes animated (and that part where Chucky freaks out in the fireplace is still hilarious, intentional or not). I also like the Romero-esque satire of 80s consumerism (in this case: toys), the kid is a pretty solid actor, and we get some nice Halloween style Chucky perspective camerawork. This also has to be one of the sleazier views of Chicago in the 80s. You get legit worried when the kid and Mom head down to the southside burnt out houses on the L train.

[Rowland]

Yep, people tend not to give the film enough credit for how well it still plays.

[Dukefrukem]

Dead Snow - Ugh. If there's anything I hate in horror it's going out of your way for gore. Just because something exists, doesn't mean you have to kill someone with it. I'm not too sure this movie works as well as it thinks it does. It really tries to give the Nazi's a reason for existing and a reason why they are nowhere in sight 99% of the time during the day. You don't need to show an audience that. You just need to make the characters likeable, which they are not, and the gore and death scenes fun, which it doesn't. Sorry, I'm not buying into this movie even if the practical effects are pretty decent.

House on Haunted Hill (1959) - I waited way too long to see this. I know it's a classic but it's just phenomenal pacing for such a simple premise. Having seen the remake before this, there were a lot of theories on how the ending was going to play out. And even when it finally arrives, the movie immediately ends as if it were glaring at Hollywood saying: "See, you can end a movie abruptly and satisfying". Vincent Price is just. Awesome.

[Pop Trash]

The final set piece of Child's Play 2 in the Good Guy's doll factory is memorably surreal and inspired turning Chucky into a lurching mass of wet plastic. Unfortunately, most of the film before that scene is perfunctory and worse...not scary at all. Not sure what when wrong here, but it seems like the filmmakers were on auto pilot until finally drinking some coffee from craft services before that final scene.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Agreed with Pop on the first two Child's Play films. There's something really satisfying about the climax of the second one, just because it amps up the original's he's-not-dead-yet scares to a borderline-satiric level - Chucky is now melted, missing limbs, stuck to a board with wheels, pulling himself along by a knife-hand. He works so hard for it, you kinda want him to win.

I just finished watching the 1986 film House, and I think I kind of... liked it...? It's a tonal mess, but has some truly bizarre sights and a committed performance from William Katt. It's not that the film is good, exactly. It's that the film is made of more interesting parts than a lot of other horror films.

[MadMan]

House (1986) is a movie I've seen way too many times. Review here, reposted from my old blog (entry date May 9, 2011), although the review itself was written probably a year or two prior:

When I was in high school, a buddy of mine and I actually watched this movie way too many times. Not only is it really weird, but the film has odd flashbacks that keep popping up throughout and are not fully explained until later on in the movie. All I know is that a Vietnam vet who writes freaky novels decides to move into his aunt's house after she decides to hang herself. How nice of him to take over the place despite the fact that it drove his last remaining relative utterly insane. This is usually how horror movies, especially ones about haunted/possessed houses, often start, so I let that aspect slide.

However, the movie itself doesn't sustain enough tension, and even though there are really creepy moments, they are often negatively impacted by the movie's way too campy/cheesy tone. This hurts the movie, along with the fact that some aspects are obviously borrowed from other movies. Funny enough though when the main character, Roger, is attacked by inanimate objects, that bit reminds me of Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn, even though that movie came out a year later.

The difference between the two is that Evil Dead II actually succeeds in giving off a creepy/hilarious vibe with such a technique, where as in House its too random and isn't anything other than eye rolling. I guess its all how you film certain material, and if the director is smart enough to properly set up his more outlandish and frightening scenes.

Oh there are some really hilarious moments, such as when Roger kills and cuts up a monster, and then the soundtrack decides to play oldies tracks that only make the scenes more disturbing, which I suppose means that bit works. George Wendt from Cheers at some point helps out Roger by making sure he doesn't go to jail, and only exists for clear comedic relief. So the movie veers from comedy to horror, not smart enough to do either incredibly well, although at times it does succeed at being creepy.

My favorite scene has to be some demonic winged monster grabbing Roger's shotgun, turning it on him, and shooting the rope holding him up, causing him to fall into a pit below. Such a moment is too random to mean anything, but it made me laugh a lot, which perhaps was really its intended goal. Or the director actually thought something like that would scare audiences.

Unlike some of the rather stupid 80s slasher movies, though, this film does have a certain degree of campy charm that stamps its status as a B-movie cult film. What's really disappointing is that the movie should have stuck with Roger just going completely insane. In the hands of a better director, the film would have been something like Legend of Hell House, or The Haunting, far better films that are not only creepy, but are really more effective. Too bad, because I wish I could actively champion this movie as being an gem from my birth year, instead of merely enjoying it for being a limited, weak, but entertaining little movie. 68

[Rowland]

Funny, I just revisited Child's Play 2 for the first time in probably twenty years (I watched it well before the original thanks to cable). I agree that it's no longer scary like the original, and I'd further propose that the kid who plays Andy isn't nearly as convincingly distressed as he was at a younger (less self-conscious?) age, but it remains a pretty stylish and pacey film in a studio-polished sorta way, and you can't go wrong with both Jenny Agutter and Grace Zabriskie filling out the cast. The climax is nowhere near as traumatizing as I remember it being, but it's still enjoyably bonkers and tactile with its old-school practical effects.

[Ivan Drago]

I know I bring up this place a lot, but the indie theater near me has been showing horror movies every weekend this month in the format of a grindhouse double feature. Last week, I almost went to a double feature of Dario Argento's Creepers/Phenomena and Shakma, an early-90s cheese-fest about a rabid killer baboon killing scientists and others in a science lab, but couldn't because I didn't get out of work early enough.

This weekend though, I plan on going to their show of Chopping Mall and Basket Case. From what I've gathered about both movies on this site, I think I'm going to the better double feature. :cool:

[Kurosawa Fan]

Mike: Hey, let's watch House tonight.
Val: Ooh, I like Hugh Laurie.
...
a flying severed head bites someone's ass
...
Val: Hope the couch is comfy.

:lol:

No, she isn't a fan of House (the television show) either, so that wouldn't have gone over any better.


What were you expecting?

It was entirely my fault. She wanted something genuinely scary. I didn't know anything about House other than it was highly regarded on here, and it's a Criterion. We had a few we were choosing between and I lobbied for House. She actually didn't hate it at all, and in fact said in a different mood she would have loved it, but she was just really in the mood for a scary horror film and I failed her big time. So her anger was at me, not at the film.

I, on the other hand, thought it was hilarious, and have recommended it to several others already.

[D_Davis]

Ronny Yu's Bride of Chucky is also a blast.

Man - I wish Yu made all kinds of American horror/genre. He's so good at it.

[Rowland]

Why don't I recall reading anything about Tales from the Hood around here? It's surprisingly good, like Spike Lee's Creepshow or something, ranking as one of the better horror anthologies I've seen.

[Rowland]

Fulci was a fucking demon in the early '80s, managing to crank out in the span of just three years the insane likes of City of the Living Dead, The Black Cat, The Beyond, The House by the Cemetery, The New York Ripper, and my most recently viewed, the underestimated Manhattan Baby, which a search leads me to believe only Spun has seen (and hated) around here.

And speaking of being a demon, I also caught up with Night of the Demons a few nights ago, which I quickly realized was a film I've always remembered watching on cable as a kid and being indelibly freaked out by. Now, it strikes me as an OK-ish Evil-Dead/Demons-style freakout, obnoxious at the beginning but watchable once the shit starts hitting the fan thanks to all the boobs, gore prosthetics, and a bit of directorial verve.

[Spun Lepton]

Blecch, Manhattan Baby was unbearable. Rowland, if you're that much a glutton for punishment, check out Fulci's Demonia. Perfect cure for insomnia, that one.

[Rowland]

While certainly far from perfect, it strikes me as one of the purest distillations of Fulci's nightmare logic sensibilities, with less gore than usual but numerous indelible images and sequences. I'm actually surprised that more fans of that era of his work don't embrace it.

[MadMan]

Why don't I recall reading anything about Tales from the Hood around here? It's surprisingly good, like Spike Lee's Creepshow or something, ranking as one of the better horror anthologies I've seen.I can't remember what channel I saw it on a year or two ago, but I really liked it. I was really freaked out by the Corbin Benson one, to the point where I covered my eyes at the ending. There's just something about puppets that scares me. I blame the Slappy Goosebumps books.

Oh and I liked The Bay and Resident Evil (2002) far more than I thought I would. The former is creepy, the latter heavily entertaining. Love the flying kick against the zombie dogs moment. I laughed and thought "Whoa, cool" all at the same time.

Mimic is pretty good and Bloody Birthday is hilarious and outrageous. Good double bill last night. I'm too tired from work but I still might view a horror film tonight.

[Rowland]

Ahh, Mimic. I caught a bit of that on cable earlier this week, forgot just how gobsmackingly beautiful it is. Might dig up my Blu-ray and rewatch the whole thing soon.

[Russ]

Man, I hope I get a chance to see this someday: a little Middle Eastern horror film from Turkey called Elcin.

I'm not sure what's going on in this trailer, apart from a little demon possession, but it pretty cool!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mIZZMyzKZg

[Raiders]

Russ, because I am a generous man:

Here's the imdb page: www.imdb.com/title/tt2794596/

Here's a Region 2 DVD from Turkey: http://www.idefix.com/video/elcin-hasan-karacadag/tanim.asp?sid=KEXLZ2DRD7IP3KNU MFPD

And if you are a KG member, there is a current torrent for the film (and this is exactly the types of films I use KG for).

[Irish]

Check this: http://features.laweekly.com/mumblegore/

"Meet the smart young misfits who are revolutionizing indie horror movies"

From LA Weekly.

[Rowland]

I've decided to go on a horror anthology binge to celebrate the season. So far I've watched Tales from the Hood (better than expected) and rewatched Creepshow (better than remembered). Tonight I'll at least try to watch Creepshow 2, and if I have time I'll throw something else into the mix, I have a bunch of options.

[Irish]

For anyone in LA, John Carpenter is signing his comic book this Sunday at Golden Apple Comics on Melrose:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10151 777702333406&id=180461998405

[MadMan]

I'm 9 movies behind review wise. It didn't help matters that I viewed three horror movies tonight (two on TCM) and that I have 4 more from the public library that I rented.

[Dukefrukem]

I'm posting this in every place relevant because it's the funniest thing I've seen in 2013.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSEzGDzZ1dY

[MadMan]

"Dear Homeowner, can we murder you?

-Signed, The Murders."

"Dear Murders,

No. No you may not.

-Signed, the Homeowner"

Now I want that to be a real movie. A Wes Anderson horror film would rule.

[Spun Lepton]

Salon posted this illustrated article that starts out seeming like it'll be a statement about diversity problems in horror, (which is a worthwhile topic, IMO,) only to conclude that the horror genre is bad because 1) it's too much like real life and 2) it's not enough like real ife. What are match-cut's thoughts?

http://www.salon.com/2013/10/29/the_truly_scary_politics_of_ho rror_movies/

[Dead & Messed Up]

The article feels like it was tailored to an agenda, since it doesn't have a baseline or control group of non-horror films, or offer a list of the films utilized, or specify what "international" means and to what degree non-Western cinema was used.

[Ezee E]

I doubt it's a 35MM screening, but a theater is showing The Shining on the big screen tonight. I don't think I've ever seen it on the big screen.

[Skitch]

I doubt it's a 35MM screening, but a theater is showing The Shining on the big screen tonight. I don't think I've ever seen it on the big screen.

I'm seeing it tomorrow for the first time in theater...tiny small town theater. Cannot freaking wait.

[Irish]

Salon posted this illustrated article that starts out seeming like it'll be a statement about diversity problems in horror, (which is a worthwhile topic, IMO,) only to conclude that the horror genre is bad because 1) it's too much like real life and 2) it's not enough like real ife. What are match-cut's thoughts?

http://www.salon.com/2013/10/29/the_truly_scary_politics_of_ho rror_movies/

It sounded like they started with a conclusion and then cherry picked sources to confirm it.

They play at crunching numbers, but the methodology is too loose to be meaningful.

Stuff like this panel: http://media.salon.com/2013/10/Horrible11.jpg drives me nuts.

"Several of our films contained a too-high-to-count volume of sexual violence, we'd guess it averages out to about one attack for every 5 to 6 female characters--about the national average of rapes reported by women in the U.S."

How many is "several," exactly?

"Too-high-to-count" is a bullshit cop-out.

"We'd guess" .. "averages" ... really? When you're pretending to make half a comic, half an infographic and present these numbers as if they're meaningful?

Finally, what are they counting as "sexual violence"? I haven't seen as much horror as many people here, but I can't remember a lot (or any?) rapes or molestations of female characters in the movies I'm watching (granted, mostly mainstream stuff).

I agree with you, Spun, that diversity is a problem in horror (I'd add in needless, exploitative sexual violence, too). But Salon's attempt here to talk about it is largely shit.

I loathe depictions of sexual violence as cheap titillation & spectacle (eg: every other episode of "Criminal Minds" and "SVU"). It's lazy, boring, & socially ugly.

I dig horror movies that switch around threats to gender--stuff like "Evil Dead" and "Hostel"--or make the female lead's story somehow meaningful, eg "Black Christmas," "Halloween," "Scream," etc.

[Dead & Messed Up]

What would've been smart would be picking the top four horror moneymakers from each year for the past 25 years. That'd be a better sample for determining what people are most exposed to.

[Rowland]

Stuart Gordon's Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/839006124/nevermore-0) has only 27 hours to collect $285,000 in order for his latest project to be funded. Pledge $400+ for an authentic prosthetic nose to be worn by Jeffery Combs as Edgar Allen Poe, or pledge $600+ for a 15 minute Skype call from Combs or Gordon, your choice!.........

:frustrated: :cry: :sad:

[Irish]

@Rowland - thanks sucks ass. Just looking at that Kickstarter page I'm reminded how many fun things those guys have been involved in.

$750 for coffee with Jeff Combs is kinda tempting, too.

Edit: Uh .. that first line is supposed to be "that sucks ass".

[Irish]

I'm about to watch Trick'r Treat.

It's getting a sequel (?) & some people were raving about it this week on twitter. Going in totally blind. Any thoughts?

[Mr. Pink]

Easily one of the best anthology horror movies ever made, and quite possibly the single best movie to watch on Halloween.

[MadMan]

Trick 'r' Treat is pretty good. Make sure you watch the short that's attached to the film titled Season's Greetings, which came out in 1996 and features Sam too.

[Spun Lepton]

Trick 'r Treat is good, but I don't get raves over it.

[Dukefrukem]

I'm about to watch Trick'r Treat.

It's getting a sequel (?) & some people were raving about it this week on twitter. Going in totally blind. Any thoughts?

My favorite Halloween movie since Hocus Pocus.

I hadn't heard a sequel was confirmed! This is huge news if true. Links?

[Dukefrukem]

Trick 'r Treat is good, but I don't get raves over it.

It's not good. It's great. The structure is flawless.

[Irish]

Whoa:


http://vimeo.com/78233743


This is the first take of the opening to Halloween. This was the first time they tried shooting it, without the cuts that they did in take number 2. They only shot this whole scene twice. Notice all of the blue in the picture… completely toned down for the recent release of the movie on Bluray. Want to see more of the “Unseen Halloween?” Contact Trancas International Films and tell them you want to see the “Unseen Halloween.”

“I was amazed that we got that shot in just a few takes, two to be exact. I thought it would be impossible; I thought we’d have a problem with every take, and that we’d have to do it over and over agin and that eventually we’d have to change the whole scene because there was only enough money left to do two or three takes of that scene.” —John Carpenter, Jamie Lee Curtis: Scream Queenby David Grove

More detail: http://cinephilearchive.tumblr.com/post/65607919903/billy-j-kirkus-was-kind-enough-to-share-with-us

[Irish]

Also: Freakin' LOVED Treak 'r Treat. Agree structure was flawless. They did a great job of weaving all the stories together.

Duke, news on the sequel here. It was just announced this week, I think:

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/10/29/trick-r-treat-sequel-michael-dougherty/

[Scar]

This is my reaction as well. I love Sam, though.

[Spun Lepton]

I watched about 2 hours of the 3.5-hour version of Stephen King's IT. I'm enjoying it more than I originally did, but I still think that it suffers from a lot of the problems made-for-TV movies had in the 80s/90s. It's overlit and flat and Pennywise isn't scary enough. I also wish I could find the full cut that aired on TV in 1990 instead of this edited-down version.

Edit: After looking at the IMDb page, I wonder if I was just imagining a longer cut when it originally aired. Could've sworn there was a scene where George was attacked by IT at the beginning of the series.

[Rowland]

I watched about 2 hours of the 3.5-hour version of Stephen King's IT. I'm enjoying it more than I originally did, but I still think that it suffers from a lot of the problems made-for-TV movies had in the 80s/90s. It's overlit and flat and Pennywise isn't scary enough. I also wish I could find the full cut that aired on TV in 1990 instead of this edited-down version.

Edit: After looking at the IMDb page, I wonder if I was just imagining a longer cut when it originally aired. Could've sworn there was a scene where George was attacked by IT at the beginning of the series.I've only seen bits and pieces of this over the years. I presume that the climax must work better in the book...

[Irish]

396010090483814400

Trying to figure what Sam Raimi is supposed to be ... :P

[Rowland]

My first impression of Creepshow 2 is that it's not as bad as I've been led to believe over the years. The wraparound material is terrible, it's missing the stylized gel lighting and animated editing transitions of the original, and there is evident padding in two of the three shorts, but otherwise, why the hate? Thanks for the ride lady!

[Spun Lepton]

My first impression of Creepshow 2 is that it's not as bad as I've been led to believe over the years. The wraparound material is terrible, it's missing the stylized gel lighting and animated editing transitions of the original, and there is evident padding in two of the three shorts, but otherwise, why the hate? Thanks for the ride lady!

I never hated it, but it was a shadow of the original. There was so much appeal in the production design of the original that it boggled my mind they would abandon it. The last two stories are decent, but given how I loved everything about the original, I was majorly disappointed.

[Rowland]

I never hated it, but it was a shadow of the original. There was so much appeal in the production design of the original that it boggled my mind they would abandon it. The last two stories are decent, but given how I loved everything about the original, I was majorly disappointed.Hating on the first segment seems to be a common theme of the reviews I've read, which I don't get because if anything it exudes the most E.C. Comics spirit of the bunch. Maybe if I was as in love with the first movie as most of its fans are (I merely like it a good deal), I'd have found this admittedly inferior film more of a comparative disappointment.

[D_Davis]

I'm about to watch Trick'r Treat.

It's getting a sequel (?) & some people were raving about it this week on twitter. Going in totally blind. Any thoughts?

Now one of my yearly movies. It's great. Look amazing as well.

[D_Davis]

Trick 'r Treat is good, but I don't get raves over it.

It's very creative, well written, good acting, dense atmosphere, and it has amazing cinematography.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Stuart Gordon's Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/839006124/nevermore-0) has only 27 hours to collect $285,000 in order for his latest project to be funded. Pledge $400+ for an authentic prosthetic nose to be worn by Jeffery Combs as Edgar Allen Poe, or pledge $600+ for a 15 minute Skype call from Combs or Gordon, your choice!.........

:frustrated: :cry: :sad:

Only at $91,695. Damn shame. The donations shall be gifted... nevermore.

[MadMan]

I'm happy about a Trick 'r' Treat sequel. Can't wait.

[Irish]

http://i.imgur.com/CGFIjia.png (http://imgur.com/CGFIjia)

"Where's the scariest place in the world? See where more than 200 of the top-rated horror films of all-time took place."

http://mediamaps.esri.com/geography-of-horror/

This is seriously cool. And you can tab through the decades and across the map.

[Dukefrukem]

That is cool. "Arkham", Massachusetts is 5 miles from my house.

[Dukefrukem]

Hmm. They didn't include Dreamcatcher out of Maine.

[Raiders]

Yeah, they also don't have The Blair Witch Project in western Maryland. Still pretty cool though.

[Ezee E]

There is no horror in Africa.

[megladon8]

The Corman/Price flick The Masque of the Red Death was on TCM last night. Jumped at the chance to see it, as it's one I've wanted to see for ages but has been out of print for some time.

It was pretty great. Luscious sets and costumes, a particularly devilish performance from Price, and a creepy, hallucinatory finale.

Really enjoyed this one, and a great way to cap off Halloween.

[Irish]

http://i.imgur.com/FKSws7E.jpg (http://imgur.com/FKSws7E)

Wes Craven is not amused.

[Irish]

http://youtu.be/yUjlAl4AK6E

Duke! Highlights from the Trick 'R Treat event earlier this week.

[Kurosawa Fan]

The twist in Final Destination 5... how did I not see that coming.

I kept ridiculing the use of flip phones, and never put it together that it was taking place in the past. Should have been such an easy twist to predict.

[MadMan]

No horror movies in Iowa heh. The closest is Haddonfield from the Halloween series.

I did enjoy viewing three Bava movies last night: 5 Dolls For An August Moon, Hatchet For The Honeymoon and Bay of Blood. I tried to watch Baron Blood but the connection crapped out and I just gave up. I might just skip some of the ones I have on the DVD queue and go straight for the Hammer Studios movies available. We'll see.

[Yxklyx]

The Corman/Price flick The Masque of the Red Death was on TCM last night. Jumped at the chance to see it, as it's one I've wanted to see for ages but has been out of print for some time.

It was pretty great. Luscious sets and costumes, a particularly devilish performance from Price, and a creepy, hallucinatory finale.

Really enjoyed this one, and a great way to cap off Halloween.

Yeah, this one's pretty good. The only Corman I don't like is Pit and the Pendulum which I thought was a total misfire. The best incarnation of that story is Svankmajer's.

[Grouchy]

Yeah, this one's pretty good. The only Corman I don't like is Pit and the Pendulum which I thought was a total misfire. The best incarnation of that story is Svankmajer's.
Wow, Pit and the Pendulum and Masque of the Red Death are actually my two favorites.

[Rowland]

Maybe I wasn't in the right mood at the time, but Masque left me kind of indifferent. The same goes for Premature Burial, whereas I really like A Bucket of Blood and The Little Shop of Horrors. The Terror is fun too, operates on a sort of dream logic that I dug.

[Irish]

http://youtu.be/y9lA94P7shQ

Anyone seen this? From the director of Warm Bodies. Curious as I've never heard of it.

[Dukefrukem]

I like how they kept that trailer spoiler free.

[Raiders]

I have seen it. Loved it. There's a thread for it in the 2013 forum.

[Rowland]

I've been watching more horror anthologies this past week. Cat's Eye was a lot more fun than I expected, Tales from the Crypt was my first exposure to Amicus and I dug it, Necronomicon was worthwhile for the Gans short and gore effects but doesn't live up to its namesake, and I hate to admit that I didn't care much for Trick 'r Treat, which is a very handsome production but otherwise underwhelming.

Anyone have specific recommendations w/r/t Amicus anthologies?

[Spun Lepton]

Anyone have specific recommendations w/r/t Amicus anthologies?

I don't know what you mean by w/r/t, but Asylum is decent.

[Irish]

Anyone have specific recommendations w/r/t Amicus anthologies?

What Culture! recently posted these write-ups:

http://whatculture.com/film/5-perfect-horror-anthologies-extend-halloween.php/

Fun list, a little mainstream & you've probably heard of/ seen most of them (Cat's Eye is their #1).

[Grouchy]

Maybe I wasn't in the right mood at the time, but Masque left me kind of indifferent. The same goes for Premature Burial, whereas I really like A Bucket of Blood and The Little Shop of Horrors. The Terror is fun too, operates on a sort of dream logic that I dug.
I was talking specifically about his Poe adaptations. My overall favorite Corman movie would be Little Shop of Horrors as well, although there are a couple of others I really need to see.

Also, come on, The Terror is laughable. Its "dream logic" is due to the fact that it plays as if it was shot and edited by an army of drunk chimpanzees.

[Dead & Messed Up]

My favorite Corman is either Masque or X - the Man With the X-Ray Eyes, with apologies to A Bucket of Blood.

[MadMan]

I plan on viewing a bunch of Roger Corman movies next Horrorfest. I still have much to see from him.

[Bosco B Thug]

I can't pin down Corman. I tried to attribute Masque of the Red Death's lofty cinematography to the presence of Nic Roeg as DP, but the moderately-good Tomb of Ligeia has even stranger and ornamented camerawork and it's someone else entirely. Then I also saw Gas-s-s-s, and accepted that Corman's a pretty interesting filmmaker. Too bad he let his producer-impresario role completely usurp his filmmaker presence.

The British horror anthology films are pretty even in quality. The list Irish posted is helpful, at least to help you realize that while you remember half the stories, you forget the other half. Really liked Asylum. An early one called Torture Garden is less memorable but artful, from the same director as Tales from the Crypt.

[Irish]

Btw, recent Corman interview:

http://www.littlewhitelies.co.uk/features/articles/roger-corman-in-his-own-words-25264

[Raiders]

My favorite Corman is either Masque or X - the Man With the X-Ray Eyes, with apologies to A Bucket of Blood.

You should apologize, though with my own apologies to his b-movie horror maestro title, his best film is actually The Intruder. Low-budget statement cinema at its most powerful.

[Grouchy]

I probably can't name my favorite Corman, since there are so many I still need to see - The Intruder, A Bucket of Blood and The Trip amongst them.

[Spun Lepton]

A Bucket of Blood is surprisingly good.

[Yxklyx]

A Bucket of Blood is surprisingly good.

That my favorite of his. Gets better with each viewing. The Intruder would be next.

[Irish]

http://vimeo.com/45631510

[Mr. Pink]

Went to a screening of Psycho tonight. I still love pretty much everything about it, including the last scene. I'm not sure why people single that out as unnecessary. Sure, you find out what a weirdo Norman is without the scene -- but having the guy break it down and put it into words almost makes me cringe more than seeing it play out.

Plus, they discuss whether or not he was a transvestite, so that's also a plus.

[Irish]

I have seen it. Loved it. There's a thread for it in the 2013 forum.

Thanks for the heads up. Didn't care for it as much as you did -- but just heard it's getting a Blu-ray release soon.

[MadMan]

http://vimeo.com/45631510

Wicked.

[Irish]

Weird factoid:

Released Nov 8, 1978: MAGIC
Released Nov 9, 1988: CHILD'S PLAY
Released Nov 9, 1990: CHILD'S PLAY II

Why do evil dummy movies come out in November?

Also: we need a Chucky vs Fats movie, a la Freddy vs Jason. Throw in that obnoxious kid from Problem Child for good measure.

[Mr. Pink]

Got together with some friends and watched this rare but horrendous movie:

http://horrorpediadotcom.files.wordpr ess.com/2013/11/mutilations-vhs-front.jpg

An Astronomy professor and his students investigave a series of strange UFO sightings in a small town. The professor constantly reminds people he's an Astronomy prosessor and knowledegable about "space science," when explaining why he's investigating.

The actors forget their dialogue halfway through a sentence, but - to their credit - they manage to finish the sentence.

This is the best scene in the movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omht5mADVOs

I like how they didn't bother to re-shoot the part where the alien loses grip of the guy's neck as it lifts him up.

[MadMan]

That is a sweet poster.

[Spun Lepton]

Tales from the Darkside series reboot headed by Stephen King's son, Joe Hill.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tales-darkside-reboot-works-at-655528

[MadMan]

CW=eh...but those involved make me go "It could work."

Latest Horrorfest review is Cemetery Man (1994)-reposted from here: http://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/horrorfest-2013-presents-cemetery-man/

The dead won’t stay dead, that pretty girl you met loves someone else and the mayor won’t listen to you. At least you have a mentally challenged fat man and your best friend for company. Otherwise you would take that pistol you use to silence the dead and off yourself. Life feels empty and pointless. Being in charge of a cemetery doesn’t really help matters either.

Dellamorte, the film’s protagonist decides to shoot other people instead. He goes on a violent rampage that accomplishes nothing. He falls in love with a girl twice only to lose her multiple times (the same woman each being played by the gorgeous Anna Falchi). Each of the ways he loses her are cruel, existing as if they are nasty cosmic jokes being played upon poor Dellamorte. A nice old lady calls him the Engineer, a title he rejects even if it is true. This film alternates between comedy and drama, all contained within a bleak horror movie featuring plenty of ghoulish moments.

Chief among them is a bus crash resulting in dead old people and children. In a scene that is both horrific and really funny Dellamorte sits in his chair drinking wine, talking on the phone and blasting each and every one of the bus crash victims. Death comes to us all without warning and yet in this universe it is far from being the ending. Oh and it occurs to all, even those who are important and also feel important.

I love the interactions between the dour Dellamorte (Rupert Everett in an inspired and career making performance) and Gnaghi (François Hadji-Lazaro, who is really quite funny and likable). The two have a natural rapport that makes the film work, and what happens to them forms most of the film’s darkest and most humorous moments. This film is what you get when a man-in this case Michele Soavi-spends plenty of time working with two excellent directors in Dario Argento and Terry Gilliam. I feel that this film is kind of a mix of those two’s styles, although I sense more Gilliam and less Argento.

Events continue in a circular motion and only too late does Dellamorte realize he cannot escape his fate. Or is it destiny? I’m not sure. But the ending blew my mind and I think this is a truly marvelous film. Man believes he is master of his world until someone or something proves him wrong otherwise.

[Irish]

I watched the Nightmare on Elm Street remake last night, from 2010.

Big mistake. They assembled an amazing cast (Rooney Mara, Clancy Brown, Connie Britton) and then did nothing with them. They lifted images from the original, but showed them out of order and without context.

The entire thing was tone deaf. They didn't build tension at all; it was all one note. Unbelievably flat.

And the decision to make Krueger a pedophile, and the kids his victims, was just gross. It also didn't make any sense. But whatever. Cheap & exploitative.

So then I went back and re-watched the original. Best thing Craven has ever done. Not scary by today's standards, but still a great film.

Two things that surprised: How few lines of dialogue Freddy has, and how little you actually see of his face.

[MadMan]

I like both the original ANOES and the remake. I honestly can't properly explain why I like the remake, and its probably one of the few "Controversial" opinions I hold. I found it creepy just like the original I guess.

[megladon8]

I thought the remake was terrible too, Irish, but I thought they had kind of a clever, original twist on the materials when they originally hinted that Krueger was innocent of the crimes he was murdered for.

Then, of course, they went and threw that out the window.

[Dukefrukem]

I thought both remakes of Freddy and Jason were terrible, but I also thought the Freddy remake was less terrible than Friday the 13th.

[Spun Lepton]

Yeah, the Nightmare remake was terrible.

[Irish]

Then, of course, they went and threw that out the window.

Agreed. It was bizarre the way they did it too -- Introduce an ugly, heavy concept like pedophilia into the movie, then sort of offhandedly suggest that the kids were lying? ... WTF?

@Duke: It was the same studio. Platinum Dunes. The group Michael Bay put together his buddies. I should have known better. They also did the Texas Chainsaw remake & Amityville too.

@Spun: 15% on the Tomatometer & I still saw the cast list & thought, "Maybe they're all wrong ...."

[Irish]

Also, pro-tip: Don't watch The Conjuring alone, in the middle of the night, with all the lights off.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when that voice said "Do you want to play the clapping game?" as two hands shot out of the darkness.

[Scar]

Loved The Conjuring. Pity the trailer spoiled two awesome scares.

[Irish]

Loved The Conjuring. Pity the trailer spoiled two awesome scares.

Yeah I noticed you said that in the voting thread. I agree but at the same time --- the clothesline scare made me gasp when I saw it in the trailer. It was such a startling, freaky image. More than anything else, it's what made me want to see the movie. So I guess that bit of advertising worked!

[Scar]

Yeah I noticed you said that in the voting thread. I agree but at the same time --- the clothesline scare made me gasp when I saw it in the trailer. It was such a startling, freaky image. More than anything else, it's what made me want to see the movie. So I guess that bit of advertising worked!

Very good point.

[Spun Lepton]

Horror geeks! Grabbers just landed on Netflix. In case you missed my last comments on it, it's an Irish horror/comedy about a town invaded by tentacled and toothy aliens that feed on people, but are poisoned by alcohol. So, the police trick the townsfolk into a night of heavy drinking at the local pub in order to keep them from being killed. It's not perfect, but it's very spirited, and the performances are all top-notch. It has a very Tremors-like vibe. I really enjoyed it.

[Grouchy]

I haven't seen the remake and most likely won't, but I always thought Krueger was heavily implied to be a pedophile as well as a murderer in the original film. It was kept as subtext.

[Irish]

Horror geeks! Grabbers just landed on Netflix. In case you missed my last comments on it, it's an Irish horror/comedy about a town invaded by tentacled and toothy aliens that feed on people, but are poisoned by alcohol. So, the police trick the townsfolk into a night of heavy drinking at the local pub in order to keep them from being killed. It's not perfect, but it's very spirited, and the performances are all top-notch. It has a very Tremors-like vibe. I really enjoyed it.

Added.

[Irish]

I haven't seen the remake and most likely won't, but I always thought Krueger was heavily implied to be a pedophile as well as a murderer in the original film. It was kept as subtext.

Hm, not from where I sat. There's only one scene where Freddy's backstory is revealed and it's all exposition from the mother ("He killed like 20 kids in the neighborhood.")

After Johnny Depp dies, Freddy chases Nancy around and says "I'm your boyfriend now", which is as far as it goes.

Apparently, Craven was originally going to make him a pedophile but changed it because there were a few high profile cases happening at the time the film was made & he didn't want to be seen as exploiting them.

[Scar]

In the original, Freddy was considered a child murderer. Not a pedophile, but he did like killin' himself some kids.

[Irish]

Any opinions on You're Next?

[megladon8]

Glad Spun (and if I remember correctly, a few others here?) really enjoyed Grabbers.

Jen and I had a great time with that one.

[megladon8]

Any opinions on You're Next?


I didn't get to see it in theatres - it played for one weekend here, and I was working the whole time.

But the BluRay comes out on like January 14th or something, and I have it pre-ordered! I love me some Ti West.

[Skitch]

Guys, Grabbers was a blast. The Host with even more Hot Fuzz humor. Loved it.

[Irish]

Watching Grabbers now.

Edit: Ok, that was fun. Particularly liked the two leads & Paddy, the crusty old fisherman dude.

This is the 2nd movie I've seen this week that centered on alien invasion & pub drinking. Weird.

@Spun Agree it's a little rough in places (the third act drags). Reminded me of Critters & Slither.

[Rowland]

Anyone else aware of the existence of a second Trilogy of Terror, also directed by Dan Curtis, also featuring the same leading lady in each short? Karen Black is missed, but the lovely Lysette Anthony (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000771/) is perfectly fine, and the film itself is actually superior to the overvalued original.

[Mr. Pink]

Any opinions on You're Next?

I dug it, but part of the appeal was it's not the kind of horror movie you expect to get such a wide release (insanely violent, one location, etc.). It's definitely worth a rental, though.

[Rowland]

I didn't like Grabbers or You're Next. Neither of them were bad, just meh and some more meh. :sad:

[Mr. Pink]

Loved The Conjuring. Pity the trailer spoiled two awesome scares.

Yeah, I just saw this (loved it) and was annoyed by that. I wanted to see it because of the trailer, but wished I could forget since you know when those scenes are coming.

[Irish]

Dunno if anyone has been following the BFI Gothic event going on this month, but this week they've got an interview with Rupert Everett on Dellamorte, Dellamorte:

http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/features/follow-our-bfi-gothic-blog#liveblog-20

[Irish]

Anyone seen this? German adaptation of a Lovecraft story, from 2010:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1756479/

[megladon8]

Anyone seen this? German adaptation of a Lovecraft story, from 2010:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1756479/


Nope, but thanks for letting me know about this! I'm a massive Lovecraft nerd so I would love to check this out.

Have you watched the 45 minute silent film The Call of Cthulhu from 2005?

[Irish]

Nope, but thanks for letting me know about this! I'm a massive Lovecraft nerd so I would love to check this out.

Have you watched the 45 minute silent film The Call of Cthulhu from 2005?

Nope! Been meaning to; it's on my Netflix list.

I've come across so much great stuff lately that it's hard to keep up. Last night I watched Dead of Night (UK, 1945) & found it to be fucking amaaaaaaaazing.

Tonight I might go for that Europa Report or this French zombie (?) thing called The Horde.

[Irish]

Megladon, before I forget! A long time ago you recommended this Korean horror to me, but I've forgotten the title. I think it might have been some kind of slasher? That's pretty vague but I swear I can't recall a thing about it, except that you made it sound pretty damned interesting.

Any chance you remember the name of the movie?

[Morris Schæffer]

http://youtu.be/qxkvt19zFSE

hahahahaha

[Skitch]

hahaha that was great.

[Dukefrukem]

Megladon, before I forget! A long time ago you recommended this Korean horror to me, but I've forgotten the title. I think it might have been some kind of slasher? That's pretty vague but I swear I can't recall a thing about it, except that you made it sound pretty damned interesting.

Any chance you remember the name of the movie?



Could have been I Saw the Devil which is amazing.

Another great Korean horror monster movie; The Host.

and then of course there's A Tale of Two Sisters which is also pretty fantastic.

[Rowland]

I'll take a stab at it... Tell Me Something?

[Raiders]

A search of the thread shows this exchange, indicating the answer is indeed A Tale of Two Sisters:

http://matchcut.artboiled.com/showthread.php?2008-Sangre-cuchillos-y-tetas-Horror-Film-Discussion&p=450134&viewfull=1#post450134

[Irish]

Thanks for your help, all! (Raiders, how the hell did you find those posts?!).

Friday night & I'm ignoring both JFK & Doctor Who ... Should I watch a German movie about vampire lesbians or ... megladon's recommended Memories of Murder?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Memories of Murder, for sure.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Hope you went with Memories of Murder.

[Irish]

Jesus. That's one of the best movies I've ever seen.

[Rowland]

I like all of Bong's films, but Memories of Murder remains his greatest. Hmm, now I want to rewatch it.

[Kurosawa Fan]

It's certainly up there with the best I've seen.

[dreamdead]

Yeah, MoM is phenomenal. That sequence in the rain is more affecting than almost anything done in the last fifteen years of horror films.

Myself, I've been wanting to revisit his Mother and Lee's Poetry recently.

[megladon8]

Glad you enjoyed it, Irish (and that others have, too!). Jen and I truly consider it one of the greatest films of all time. Haunting, terrifying, at times desperately funny. Great stuff.

My apologies, Irish, for not seeing your questions sooner about the Tale of Two Sisters recommendation. I don't come in the film discussion areas too often anymore.

[Skitch]

Sideways note: I think A Tale Of Two Sisters is one my top films of all time.

[Irish]

Hm. Maybe I hit Tale of Two Sisters next then?

I watched The Hoarde, a French action horror that was pretty much a bad version of Dredd, Attack the Block, and The Raid.

And that German vampire lesbian movie -- We Are the Night -- was a huge disappointment. Totally sexless.

Of course, I feel as if I'm at a bit of a disadvantage now. A lot of movies are gonna look mediocre next to Memories of Murder.

@megladon - No worries, dude. Just happy I finally saw the film (a year later!).

[Rowland]

Hate to say I'm not a big fan of A Tale of Two Sisters, but it sure is gobsmackingly beautiful.

[Ezee E]

Has Contraction been seen by anyone? Looks kinda freaky.

[Spun Lepton]

Stalled (2013) is a British horror/"comedy" about a guy stuck in a bathroom stall during an outbreak of ZOMBIES! And that, ladies and gentlemen, is quite literally the vast majority of the movie. Probably about 75% of the story takes place in the restroom, and most of that takes place in the stall itself.

As you might expect, just as I anticipated going in, they needed a fuck ton of filler to make a 20-minute premise stretch into a 90-minute movie. I wanted to give them the benefit of a doubt, though. I shouldn't have. Live and learn.

What was the filler? Oh, there's a scene where the guy takes a bunch of drugs and hallucinates a dance number that references Thriller. Haha. And a dream-within-a-dream sequence. So clever. And endless blabber about the character's lives outside of the bathroom. Fascinating! Never mind the false ahh-I've-been-bitten-whew-no-I-haven't double-take. Fucking brilliant.

I hear you asking, "Endless blabber? With whom?" Well, the woman who's stuck in the stall on the other side of the room. Who else? A woman whose face we never see and whose presence is nary more than a disembodied voice. Oh, their droning, dull conversations are plentiful. And when he finally has the opportunity to save her, he balks because she's fat. So she kills herself. That's some top-notch storytelling, Lou.

Never mind the fanboy-pandering references to just about every zombie film ever made in the history of ever. Never mind the barely-adolescent "justice porn" ideal that happens in the final 15 minutes and changes the lead from a dull sod into a sociopath. Never mind the boredom that may make you want to eat your own head.

No, just never mind.

3/10

[Dead & Messed Up]

Ugh. That sounds about as unappealing as the poster looked on Netflix the other night. Glad I didn't pull the trigger.

[Irish]

You are a brave man, Spun. I came across that one over the weekend but didn't click on it. Because toilet.

Your reviews are priceless & I love way they are entertaining in & of themselves. Few can pull that off.

[Irish]

Also: Dunno if anyone noticed (or interested) but Cannibal Holocaust is streaming on Hulu Plus now.

[Dukefrukem]

Also: Dunno if anyone noticed (or interested) but Cannibal Holocaust is streaming on Hulu Plus now.

Terrible movie.

[Scar]

Also: Dunno if anyone noticed (or interested) but Cannibal Holocaust is streaming on Hulu Plus now.

Don't waste your time.

[Spun Lepton]

Also: Dunno if anyone noticed (or interested) but Cannibal Holocaust is streaming on Hulu Plus now.

I also do not like this movie.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Also not a fan.

[Raiders]

It's awful, but I don't think one should write it off unless they know ahead of time they just can't stomach purposeful grotesquerie and over-the-top gore and lewdness. It has too much lasting impact and critical discussion. Frankly, the lens of those seeing it as some kind of critique is lost on me for no film can take such obvious pains and pleasures in its own self-consumed desire to be as galling, graphic and racist as possible without suffering as a morally dubious, aesthetically sickening exercise. The backward justification just doesn't work for me.

I have always liked Eric Henderson's piece:
http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/cannibal-holocaust

[Dukefrukem]

That's really well said *written* Raiders.

[Skitch]

Also not a CH fan.

[Spun Lepton]

It's awful, but I don't think one should write it off unless they know ahead of time they just can't stomach purposeful grotesquerie and over-the-top gore and lewdness.

If you don't like watching animals actually being killed in close-up, it's definitely not the movie for you. This wasn't the most damning aspect for me, but I didn't particularly like it. The movie does a pretty good job of being crappy otherwise.

Final line of the movie: "Perhaps we are the real cannibals."
Me: "Whaaaat? Do you eat people? No? Then you're not the real cannibals!"

[Rowland]

:lol:

I like it quite a bit.

[Grouchy]

Yeah, I love Cannibal Holocaust. Definitively a film ahead of its time that should be seen more.

[MadMan]

From a Whisper to a Scream (Burr, 1987) BHuh, interesting. Vincent Price said it was really awful and he only did it as a favor to the young director.

My viewings of Hammer Studios films available on Netflix has so far consisted of X: The Unknown, which I enjoyed, and The Hound of the Baskervilles, which I thought was merely okay. Up next was supposed to be The Abominable Snowman but instead I'm getting Plague of the Zombies because of this long wait/short wait bullshit. Not exactly inspiring me to keep DVD in the mail, Netflix. Also I'm a bit pissed that I added Bronson only to discover that not only has it been put back on Instant Viewing but the DVD is already being mailed to me, too. Argh.

[Spun Lepton]

Huh, interesting. Vincent Price said it was really awful and he only did it as a favor to the young director.

My viewings of Hammer Studios films available on Netflix has so far consisted of X: The Unknown, which I enjoyed, and The Hound of the Baskervilles, which I thought was merely okay. Up next was supposed to be The Abominable Snowman but instead I'm getting Plague of the Zombies because of this long wait/short wait bullshit. Not exactly inspiring me to keep DVD in the mail, Netflix. Also I'm a bit pissed that I added Bronson only to discover that not only has it been put back on Instant Viewing but the DVD is already being mailed to me, too. Argh.

Last I checked, Netflix wants to phaze out their DVD-by-mail system.

[Dead & Messed Up]

http://siliconangle.com/files/2011/09/qwikster-netflix-dvd-by-mail-service-coming-soon.jpg

Never forget.

[Yxklyx]

Huh, interesting. Vincent Price said it was really awful and he only did it as a favor to the young director.

My viewings of Hammer Studios films available on Netflix has so far consisted of X: The Unknown, which I enjoyed, and The Hound of the Baskervilles, which I thought was merely okay. Up next was supposed to be The Abominable Snowman but instead I'm getting Plague of the Zombies because of this long wait/short wait bullshit. Not exactly inspiring me to keep DVD in the mail, Netflix. Also I'm a bit pissed that I added Bronson only to discover that not only has it been put back on Instant Viewing but the DVD is already being mailed to me, too. Argh.

Plague of the Zombies is one of their best. They have the best selection and if you keep on putting obscure movies in the queue what happens is that they have to ship it from a different center and you end up getting an extra DVD for about a week.

[MadMan]

Fair enough except that Hammer Studios is pretty famous last I checked. TCM aired a ton of their movies two years ago. And if Netflix is phasing out their DVD system then they must keep running into licensing issues since they often have to pull movies off.

[Irish]

Heads up: Eric Englund's CONTRACTED is on VOD.

I've looked forward to this one; renting tonight.

[Irish]

A new Friday the 13th movie is coming March 13, 2015.

No director, cast, script or production details yet.

[megladon8]

The Abominable Snowman is one of the very few Hammer films I have not seen yet, and I want to very badly. Sounds great.

I wish the DVD was still available.

[Irish]

Funny you mention it. Hammer Studios is rebooting Snowman:

http://m.screendaily.com/5063866.article

[Dukefrukem]

A new Friday the 13th movie is coming March 13, 2015.

No director, cast, script or production details yet.

It may be a found footage movie.

[Spun Lepton]

It may be a found footage movie.

As I used to love to say in the 1980's ... *BARF*

[Irish]

It may be a found footage movie.

Yeah, I saw that. Speculation from B-D or Dread based on an old idea that floated around Warners years ago. Honestly, they have no idea. All the "news" is based on a single item that was posted to Box Office Mojo's website.

Friday the 13th. Paramount. March 13, 2015.

(Although I agree that any "found footage" concept in an F13 movie is profoundly stupid.)

[Scar]

*BARF*

"Not in here mister! This is a Mercedes!"

[MadMan]

A new Friday the 13th movie is coming March 13, 2015.

No director, cast, script or production details yet.I'll go see it. No idea if it will be any good but I am a fan of the series.

The only way I'm watching Snowman is through Netflix. I'm not sure why its being remade though.

[MadMan]

I don't mind found footage as long as its done right (I have plenty of examples). I imagine they are trying to do something different. I still have two ides for Jason movies plus a third one that would deal with the locals and why the hell they live next to a mass killer. These movies aren't really hard to write or make.

[Spun Lepton]

I didn't even know Hammer was still around. I'm probably in the minority of being unimpressed with everything I've seen from them. Mind you, I haven't seen any of the Christopher Lee Dracula movies.

[Grouchy]

I didn't even know Hammer was still around. I'm probably in the minority of being unimpressed with everything I've seen from them. Mind you, I haven't seen any of the Christopher Lee Dracula movies.
Their most recent output is The Woman in Black and The Resident.

You should most definitively be impressed by The Devil Rides Out, The Gorgon or Quatermass and the Pit. Granted, they were not masterpieces, but those films made history.

[Spun Lepton]

Their most recent output is The Woman in Black and The Resident.

You should most definitively be impressed by The Devil Rides Out, The Gorgon or Quatermass and the Pit. Granted, they were not masterpieces, but those films made history.

Was unimpressed by The Devil Rides Out, but it may be time to rewatch it. Quatermass and the Pit is quite good, and I just confirmed it was a Hammer production. For some reason I always throught it was Amicus.

[MadMan]

Curse of Frankenstein is great. Horror of Dracula and The Devil Rides Out are pretty good.

[megladon8]

The Echo was tedious, boring and uninspired. Jesse Bradford is just not a good actor.

I really hope The Road is better. It certainly has been loved by MC'ers.