Fiction, Once My Friend, Now... Not So Much.

me, circa 1920.

Well, here we are in the third week of quarantine. In my lifetime, I never thought I'd be typing that, in a blog I had kind of left abandoned after the first of this year, with no plans to make another post but here we are. Most of us stranded in our homes and apartments. Some displaced. Folks laid off, businesses struggling to figure out how to make ends meet so they can come back when this ends. I am one of the lucky ones, I know I am privileged to have a job that's paying me to not be there. I'm extremely lucky. So are my dogs. Because they are enjoying more Woodrow time than they could have ever dreamed of. They're the real winners in this whole shelter-in-place business.

This isn't news. You've read this on various people's facebook and twitter posts, articles and whatnot. It's also not what I wanted to talk about. 

When this first started, people were saying things like "Ooh I can finally do this project or learn how to do this or get back to an old hobby. But more than anything I heard from so many people about how they would finally have time to read. This was a thing I thought, too. I could just read. I had so many books on hand, why not, right?

Except the hardest thing for me to do during this has been reading. I can focus on doing a crossword or jigsaw puzzle. I can focus on a movie or TV show. But reading, I have just been struggling with. And I don't know why. Actually, I think I do know why. You see, when I was a kid, I loved and lived for fiction. I loved adventure classics, kid lit mysteries, and Bunnicula! Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson, Alexandre Dumas, and James Howe were among my favorites when I was younger, and I had my teenage Stephen King and Clive Barker phases as a teen. Then, in my 20's I was into mysteries and historical fiction. Comics and graphic novels were in there too, and have remained in my life to this day. But something happened in my 30s. I started reading... non-fiction. So much non-fiction that by the time I reached 40, I realized it was my preference. I know from having this discussion on Twitter that I am in the minority. Most people roll their eyes at non fic. And many people have room in their hearts for both. 

Here's what I am saying. I STILL try to read fiction like I love it and friends, I just do not. But I occasionally do. I can tell you the handful of  fiction I have truly loved from the last 5 or so years that didn't take months to read were Station 11, The Traitor Baru Cormorant (and its sequel), The Mothers, White Tears, My Sister the Serial Killer, and The Changeling. 

I'd need entire second post to tell you all the non-fiction I have read in the last 5 years that I loved. That I devoured in days. That I couldn't put down and could not stop raving about. That list is long. It's evident on my bookshelves at home. I often buy non-fic for myself, and cannot let it go the way I can donate novels to the booksale or the shelves of the Watershed.

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of novels I have gotten through and thought, dang, that was pretty great. But for whatever reason, its almost like a fight between me and a novel for my attention span, while reading non-fiction, I can just bulldoze my way through, shoveling facts and ideas into my brain while I furiously flip the pages. I want to love fiction the way I love non-fic, but you know, its okay if I don't. And it's okay if YOU don't love non-fiction while swooning over your novels! There is room for everyone. 

I finished a Fantasy novel, Gideon the Ninth yesterday, and I plan to now read a book called Monster She Wrote, about the Women who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction. Gideon took me over 2 months to finish. Let's see how long Monster She Wrote takes. 

Favorites of 2019

I enjoyed many movies in 2019. And, for the first time ever, I tracked everything I watched, not just stuff at the cinema. But I did go when I could, this year I made it to the theater 37 times, and 26 of those times was a trip to my home away from home, Cinemapolis. Listen, I keep track of this stuff on a spreadsheet, I could breakdown my movie going data for a few more sentences at least.

Instead, I want to write a little about favorites of the year vs. best of the year. Who am I to say what is best? There are best of lists all over the place, go read those if you want. I'm more interested to share what I loved most from the many great movies released in 2019.

My 13 Favorite Films released in 2019:

13. Dark Waters
     I don't think Todd Haynes could ever disappoint. This film about one lawyer taking on shady fucking corporate giant Dupont over poisoning, well, THE WHOLE COUNTRY is riveting, suspenseful, and based on a true story. The cast is solid, but it's Bill Camp as a West Virginia farmer who hires lawyer Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo) to help uncover whats going on who gives an award worthy performance.

12. Wild Nights with Emily

    I enjoyed this sort of nonsensical and historical version of Emily Dickinson's later life with my entire heart. Molly Shannon was terrific a as Dickinson, and while the Dr. and I laughed a lot, the film didn't ever let you forget about the erasure of Dickinson's relationships with women.

11. In Fabric
    Peter Strickland's film was so fucking weird, I had to include it. In Fabric stuck with me for days after seeing it. The second half wasn't as strong as the first, but that first half featuring Marianne Jean-Baptiste as a sad divorcee supporting her jerky adult son while re-entering the dating scene in 70's London was spellbinding. Haunted dress. Mysterious deaths. And a possible coven-run ladies department store.

10. Ready or Not

     Y'all can keep Knives Out. I liked it, but I preferred Ready or Not. The Dr. says its because I love horror. Maybe. But I also loved the inventiveness of it. The supernatural twists. And Samira Weaving was so gosh darn charming, and not your typical damsel in distress. Plus...THAT ENDING! Loved it.

9. Crawl
    Human vs. Alligator. You've seen it, right? Not like this, kids.This isn't some genetically mutated gator eating people in one bite. This is natural disaster unleashing gators who go wild doing what they do. Florida hurricane season. This is also some (small, they sneak it in)commentary about housing foreclosure and dealing with grief and depression. But its mostly gators and hoo boy, I jumped so many times! The pug also barked at so many gators and the dog, Sugar, who I will spoil by saying -puppo doesn't get eaten by gators. You're welcome.

8. Us
    Jordan Peele proves again what an excellent director he is. His knack for tiny details and building tension is amazing. Lupita Nyong'o gives a scary good dual performance as Adelaide and Red. The twists and turns of this movie are made better by the great performances and that creepy, creepy score.

7. Parasite

    I want to start by saying I do believe this to be the best movie of the year. I loved how Bong Joon- Ho played with the meaning of that title throughout the film. I always think that about the title when I sit in my movie seat, waiting for the film to start. Sometimes its obvious. Other times, You have to search for it. Peel back layers. And this film had so many layers. It was about more than a con. It was about class disparity, and family. And it was excellent. Shout out to Asia for finally seeing this after weeks of my heckling.

6. Last Black Man in San Francisco
     When I think of this movie, I immediately think of the final scene. The look and feel of this film have stayed with me long after viewing it. Beautifully shot, with heartfelt performances, this movie was deep and political while being a little fantastical and filled with love for San Francisco.

5. The Farewell
      Everyone told me to bring tissues to this movie, but I laughed a lot more than i cried. Culture (and generational) clash and familial bonds. Awkwafina is so much fun to watch whether she is in a serious role or a comedy. This one went right to the heart. But seriously, I laughed so much.
   
4. The Lighthouse

      Robert Egger's second feature did not disappoint. This film was a surrealist, nautical quiet horror- a sparring match between angry, brooding Robert Pattinson and steadfast, bossy Lighthouse keeper Willem Defoe, who gave my favorite performance of the year. Like Last Black Man in San Francisco, The style of The Lighthouse has stuck with me. Eerie AF and worthy of repeat viewingsbecause there is so much to unpack! So many theories! WHY'D YOU SPILL YER BEANS?!?!

3. JoJo Rabbit
      Right now, more than ever, we need reminders that Nazis and fascism are awful. This movie is a great reminder. Taika Watiti has written a clever screenplay (ahem, based on a novel), put together a solid cast, and made a pretty wonderful film that will make you laugh, but its no slapstick comedy like the trailer might make you think. It's deep and gets dark. It's about a young boy trying to sort out whats right, ethically and morally. Also, Nazis are so bad. Don't you ever, ever fucking forget it. We can't ever afford to forget it.

2 .Little Women
     This surprises me more than anyone reading this. I didn't care for Ladybird. I thought it was fine and that the lead character Ladybird (aka Greta G played by Saoirse R.) was annoying. However, a thing that's important to me is supporting directors who are not cis white dudes. (although, see above, there are plenty on this list).But Gerwig's retelling of Louisa May Alcott's classic was delightful! I may even see it again! I loved the cast and totally believe the rumor that Saoirse and Timothee Chalamet have been penpals for 3,000 years. The cast was perfect- Meryl Streep served only the finest shade as Aunt March, and Florence Pugh was scene stealingly good as Amy. This felt modern while still being a historical drama. So well done!

1. Midsommar

      Surprise, surprise. Ari Aster's second film is my favorite of the year. Just as I loved Hereditary for its dread filled, demonic tale of dealing with grief driven by a strong lead performance (ToniCollette4eva), I loved this dread filled, cultish tale of dealing with grief driven by a strong lead performance (Florence Pugh, AMAZING). This movie draws you in with visuals, and is mostly shot during the day. What is scary during the day, right? So much, person reading this. So. Fucking. Much. Cults are scary all the time. Morning, noon, night. But Aster is clever, and the way he slowly unravels the story will have you drawn in and feeling as helpless as the college friends who don't know what they're in for.

There were so many other movies I really enjoyed, some I wish I'd gotten to, and others I wished I'd skipped. (I'm talking to you, High Life)  But how long can this post be?

Not Today

I had planned to see Rise of Skywalker on Thursday. I'd see the 11am showing so I could be home for the rest of the day. But instead, I did things around the house, read, napped with the dogs, and saw Dark Waters instead. That movie was a look at how little value is placed on human life by giant companies who are more interested in making money. No one is coming to save us while companies like Dupont are poisoning us, and companies like Amazon and Walmart are creating a world so they're the only game in town, paying the lowest wages they can, because workers lives aren't as valuable as making money for big boss. And Disney, who seem to be planning to eat up every single big production company they can. Disney.

I woke this morning, walked the dogs and fed them, and left the house to catch the bus up to the mall for an early show. I've avoided spoilers, reviews, and most talk about the movie. It was relatively easy, actually. Most people are so caught up with The Mandalorian that they haven't mentioned much about it. Baby Yoda is pretty cute.

I've never known life without Star Wars. I have never missed seeing a film in the franchise in the theater. As the bus got closer to the multiplex, I suddenly had this thought come into my brain: I didn't care.

I remember sitting with friends for Force Awakens feeling so keyed up. And that one was fun, even though it was pandering to me and people around my age. We loved Star Wars. GIVE US MORE! I felt this exact same way when they announced Phantom Menace and again, we had fun because we were watching Star Wars again. IN THE THEATER! But those prequels were mediocre. And Force Awakens was a little hokey. Last Jedi was, too. By the end of that movie, I didn't think I really cared anymore. But I tried. I got to the movie theater, and stood outside and thought about it for about 10 minutes, then turned back around and walked out and took the next bus back downtown.

New star wars fans are being created every minute, and these movies are for them. And for you if you want to see them. I just think I am happier not spending 2 and a half hours watching that good ol' retread of good vs evil. I want to say I just don't care, but in my heart, I will always care about that universe. I just don't think I need to see the new movie to be a Star Wars fan. Besides, do you really think this is going to be the last movie?

My Full Brain

Remember a post or two ago I mentioned getting into a routine? Well, I think I found it. I'm sitting at an undisclosed location, sipping a latte, listening to Prince, and thinking about a jumble of things I want to tell y'all about. Or at least two.

Let's start with JoJo Rabbit.

JoJo Rabbit (2019)

My expectations were high, because Taika Waititi. If that's a name you're not familiar with, do yourself a favor and check out the NZ director's What We Do in the Shadows (film, not the tv show, but that's a lot of fun, too.) and The Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Shadows is one of my favorite comedies of the last 20 years. It's clever and silly and even a little sweet when you think of it in terms of enduring friendships. Seriously! I always describe it as a comedy about friendships!

Wilderpeople is also funny, but there's more to it than that. It's a sort of oddball buddies-on-the-run movie, where the buddies are two loners who are on the run from their own grief.

Back to JoJo Rabbit. This is a movie that's been splitting folks left and right. The first time I saw the trailer, everyone I was with exclaimed I WANT TO SEE THAT! Others have said "I'LL NEVER WATCH A MOVIE GLORIFYING NAZIS!" This is an actual thing someone said to me. I think the trailer makes it pretty clear that's not what this film is about. Crowds and critics alike have praised and panned. Waititi has said in his country, something being divisive is a good thing.

JoJo focuses on a young boy in Hitler's Youth Army near the end of WWII. His imaginary best friend is none other than Adolph Hitler (Waititi). JoJo is injured at a training camp, and begins spending more time at home with his Mother (Scarlett Johansson), who slips out during the day for hours, leaving JoJo to discover a young Jewish girl being hidden in a secret room. WHAT A CONUNDRUM! He asks his buddy Adolph for advice, while weighing the consequences for his mother and himself. He's seen those consequences first hand in the town square where traitors are hung for all to see. The story unfolds and by the end the comedy has fallen away, packing a pretty powerful punch.

Focusing on a young boys choice between morality and nationalistic fervor rather than just showing the horrors of the Third Reich (trust me, those get plenty of play here), is very, very clever. Morality vs Nationalism. Gosh, that sounds awfully familiar. Featuring a fantastic cast including Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Alfie Allen, and Stephen Merchant, along with Waititi and Johansson, newcomer Roman Griffin Davis does a great job as JoJo, but its really his friend Yorkie (Archie Yates) who steals the show. I urge you to get a ticket to this one. Need more reason? There's already buzz ScarJo might get an oscar nomination, and it could a nom for screenplay.

And now, I want to take a second to talk about something dear to my heart. Picture books. I read at least one a day. I can't help it. The covers pull me right in, and I see so many while working at the library. When I read a great one, I share it with my coworkers. Or I point it out to patrons. I put it on display if there is space. I post a pic of it on my instagram and recommend it to friends with kids. But really, what I want to say is these books aren't just for kids. Picture books are for everyone. I mean, adults are writing and illustrating them. Why can't adults read them? Guess what, THEY CAN! I'm giving you permission, right here in my blog. So next time you are in a bookstore, or a library, pick one up that has a cover that draws you in. Maybe you'll laugh out loud, maybe you will tear up, but I bet you will be entertained and probably be reminded of a good lesson. Heck, maybe you'll read just the right book at the right time and you'll feel better about being different. Just, don't let me hear you say they're just for kids. That's right up there with "Sorry, I don't read." Serious offenses, friend. Serious offenses.

Too Soon to Tell

Parasite (2019)

Last night, the topic of best film of 2019 came up. Of course, it's all I've been able to think about since. 2019 isn't quite over yet, but what is the best film I have seen so far? And what has been my favorite. They are not the same, these two things. 

This conversation was prompted by Parasite, which I saw last weekend. Its fair to say that this, Bong Joon-Ho's 7th feature film, is his masterpiece. Or perhaps his masterpiece so far. Its also fair to say that this may just be the best film of the year. Parasite begins as one thing, and ends as another. Some might call it a very twisted comedy, others a horror film. I say its both, and also a tale of class warfare. The distance between rich and poor, a theme familiar around the world. I think that's why this film resonates with so many. Come on, you say, there are plenty of movies about that. Yes, but its Bong's clever storytelling and attention to every detail make this better than all those films. It's his ability to show the lengths to which people will go, how far and also when they realized they've gone far enough. Or endured quite enough might be more accurate.  So, right now, I will say I think Parasite is the best film of the year. 

But its not my favorite film of the year. 

My favorite film of the year (so far) will be hard to suss out. I've loved so many in 2019. Midsommar may top the list for me. Ari Aster's follow up to Hereditary blew my mind. Florence "Lady MacBeth" Pugh gave a powerful performance as Dani, a young woman who had lost her whole family to a murder-suicide and was looking for acceptance, trust, love and a place to belong finds it. Well, its finds her. Oh wow, this is an incredible film. Plus cults. Y'all know how I love cults.

Then, there's Us. Jordan Peele's second film. I loved this with every fiber of my being. Fantastic cast, creepy score, a breadcrumb trail of a story, an allegory for oppression, slavery and denial (cough, cough, talking to you America). I really loved this movie, saw it twice in the theater.  I hold Us and Midsommar right next to each other in my heart for favorite of the year. 

BUT WAIT! I also loved The Farewell. And The Last Black Man in San Francisco. These are both films that take a look at person and place. Where they  and where they came from. I loved the silly and melancholy Wild Nights with Emily. I intend to see The Lighthouse again, Robert Eggers insanely good follow up to The Witch. I also really enjoyed Jim Jarmusch's The Dead Don't Die, Olivia Wilde's Booksmart, Octavia Spencer chewing ALL the scenery in Ma, and Penny Lane's doc on the Satanic Temple's constant challenge to religious freedom, Hail Satan? 

So see, this isn't easy. And I haven't seen  Harriet or Jo Jo Rabbit yet, so stay tuned.  

The End...?

Well, October has ended and with it, my 31 Film Challenge of 2019. For my last four days of October I watched a highly debated classic, a very creepy take on a folktale, an outstanding sophmore effort, and a dud. There's always at least one dud.

Here they are in order:

October 28th: The Lighthouse (2019)

                Robert Eggers' sophmore effort lives up to and exceeds expectations. It definitely bounced way over the high expectations I had for it. The film gives us striking visuals, a spellbinding story, and powerful turns from Robert Pattinson and Willem Defoe as two men taking their 4 week shift at a lighthouse. Loneliness, paranoia, the feeling of being trapped not only with someone you hardly know and are forced internally and externally to deal with ones own guilt and conscience. This is just a surface level commentary on it. By all means get to Cinemapolis and see this movie! Then, find me and we will chat. Theories abound!

October 29th: Hole in the Ground (2019)

                This one had been getting recommended to me for months, but I keep passing it by. What a fool was I! A single mother and her son move to a old fixer upper in the Irish countryside. This house is near the forest which contains a gigantic sinkhole. Scary already. The mom, Sarah (Seana Kerslake), hears a strange story about a woman from the town who started claiming her own son was "not really her son". One night Sarah's son goes missing, and when she finds him something seems just a bit off. The changeling tale is not new, but this take is clever, creepy, and had one an excellent ending. This was perhaps the scariest film I watched all month

October 30th: The Nun (2018)
               This was a bummer. I love horror films about nuns. But this movie was a drag. It was all jump scares you could see coming a mile away, and characters I just didn't care about. If you're looking for a scary nun movie, I suggest The Devil's Doorway.

October 31st: Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

               I know, people either like this one or don't, but I have always loved it. I found the premise so disturbing as a kid- a big Halloween mask manufacturer plotting to kill kids on Halloween night through the masks. KILLING KIDS! Rarely do you see a kid getting his face melted and snakes crawling out of it, but you do see that in this movie. Scary stuff. Sure, the movie has a squirrelly plot and some cheesy dialogue, but Dan O'Herlihy is so deliciously diabolical as Conal Cohcran, the mastermind behind the deadly masks, coupled with the reveal of what those masks can do and why they want to do it make this one close to my heart and a Holiday favorite. Also, that Silver Shamrock jingle is so darn catchy.

Just because October is over, that doesn't mean the horror movies stop. I say celebrate horror all year round. It's here for us all. Be here for horror.
 

Another Week in the ol' Trick or Treat Bag

Halloween is nigh, so here is another weeks worth of horror to tell you about.

October 22nd: Gwen (2019)
            I saw so many comparisons of this film to The VVitch and Hagazussa that I felt compelled to check it out. A sense of dread hangs over the main characters of this movie from start to finish. Its lacking the power of the aforementioned films, but it does capture the atmosphere, even if the plot doesn't seem quite clear. 

October 23rd: Urban Legend (1998)
            Riding the Scream wave, Urban Legend helped send the 90's out in he best way possible, by paying tribute to the slasher film AND the obsession with urban legends us 80's and 90s kids held so dear. This one is fun, has a great cast, and keeps you guessing until the reveal. 

October 24th: The Field Guide to Evil (2018)
            I love a pleasant albeit horrific surprise. This horror anthology boasting segments by an international cast of directors you may only recognize by their previous films- Goodnight Mommy, The Lure, Baskin, Nothing Bad Can Happen, The Oregonian, Berberian Sound Studio- was a twisted creepy surprise. Highly recommend.

October 25th: Haunt (2019)
            This "teens caught in an extreme haunt with a killer" film is a cut above the rest. Pun all the way intended. Some of my favorite horror is when the reason for the horror isn't explained, it just is. 

October 25th: Lords of Salem (2013)

             I want this to be better than it is. Rob Zombie has such an eye for style, and he pays so much tribute to horror in general, I just wish he had cast someone other than his wife to play the lead, its too hard to take her seriously among such a great cast. The idea for this movie is great,but there are so many plot holes that could use a little filling. 

October 26th: Moth Diaries (2012)
             I wanted more suspense and more vampires. And less of Lily Cole's eyebrows. They were the there were, however, plenty of moths. Also, that rock Band scene... The Dr. and I weren't impressed with this one.

October 27th: Hell Night (1981)

             I was so scared of this movie when I was 10 or 11. Watching it in 2019 is an entirely different experience. One day I may sit and write something more thoughtful about how we as a culture bought into the whole Frat plot line in the 80's and 90's, but for now, I'll just say that schtick is very dated. Along with the Fraternity stuff, we get an extra helping of sexism and misogyny.  Fun! Despite all this, I still think this works as a mashup of slasher in the old haunted mansion movie. Linda Blair post-exorcist looks like a high school student who sneaked in to a college party, all the frat guys have great hair, and once the kills start happening, the movie gets better. Maybe because they're killing off the frat bros? Now, that's MY kind of movie!

A Fond Farewell

Last night, I said an unexpected goodbye to my dear TV. I remember the evening I brought you home and plugged you in. We had some really great times together. Watching movies, playing the very occasional video game, and spending countless hours on a binge of too many shows to name. I'll miss you.I'm not going to lie, its not going to be the same finishing this 31 Days of Horror without you, but I know, you'd want me to go on. Thanks, TV. Thanks.

A Week of Horror Gems

Another week of October has come and gone, and I have watched so much horror! In fact, I feel like this week's films were mostly hits. 

Near Dark (1987)

I finally sat down and watched  Issa Lopez' masterful horror-fantasy Tigers Are Not Afraid. The Dr. and I screened Near Dark, a movie we've been discussing since our very first date (happy anniversary to us!). I joined a fun group of friends for the macabre and unexpectedly gory Theater of Blood, with Vincent Price chewing every bit of scenery he could get his fangs on. And, Diana Rigg as his daughter. 

Let's take a moment for Diana Rigg, if we may. 

That isn't all I watched, so let's break that down here:

October 13th: Curtains (1983)

                     A year or so ago I saw an old trailer for this and thought it looked creepy as hell, based on the weird mask the killer wore. In a nutshell, someone wants a role in a film by this sketchy director and they'll go to any length! Leave a boyfriend, break a contract, escape from an asylum,  murder the competition. Acting was nice and hammy, plot was a bit contrived, but whoa, that mask reveal and twist ending. I enjoyed it. 

October 14th: Altered States (1980)

                       I wanted to keep the Ken Russell train rolling, so I re-watched his bizarre and trippy tale (written by Paddy Chayefsky)about a scientist obsessed with expanding his mind to unlock human development from the earliest stages of man. Is that right? This movie is bonkers. The special effects are wild for 1980, even if the plot revolving around the personal is eye-rolly. 

October 15th: Scary Stories (2019)

                      This was a fun gem I found at work! Yes, don't forget to check out the DVD shelves at your local library, y'all, you'll never know what you might find. Scary Stories is a documentary and tribute to the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books. Fun and fascinating, it talks about creator Alvin Schwartz, illustrator Stephen Gammell, the controversy that's surrounded the books since release with school boards and parents, and a lot of swooning fans. After watching it, I was inspired to re-read the books (also at your public library!)

October 16th: Friend Request (2017)

                      This ended up being a lot better than I was expecting, especially based on the rotten tomato score. It has some good jump scares, and is a cautionary tale about online "friendship". Just be careful who you friend on the SM's, y'all. It might be a demon. If so, good luck deleting your account. 

October 17th: The Enfield Haunting (2015)

                     This British miniseries is based on the most famous haunting in the UK. Great cast including Timothy Spall, Matthew MacFadyen tells the story of the poltergeists plaguing the Hodgson's, but is also about dealing with grief and letting go. Sure, its a thing in horror films, but this series does it pretty darn well. 

October 18th: Tigers Are Not Afraid (2018)

                      I missed this when it was at Ithaca Fantastik last year, and when it finally came to Shudder, I kept saying to myself, I wasn't ready. Well, last Friday I was ready, and it destroyed me. Issa Lopez has made a masterful tale of childhood trauma told through fantasy. Not a single frame of film in wasted, as there is so much to see in every shot. The kids in the film act their hearts out scene after scene. Akin to Pan's Labyrinth or even The Devil's Backbone, this is a film you can't shake after seeing it. A must see in my opinion.

October 18th: Theater of Blood (1973)

                     I'd watch Vincent Price drink tea for 2 hours, that's how much I adore the guy. As a kid, he was my favorite. And still is. Toss in Diana Rigg as his faithful daughter who may or may not know he's getting revenge on the theater critics who he felt wronged him, by murdering them a la Shakespearean demises, and you've got a fun, gory film. Everything about this is over the top and I loved it. 

October 19th: Near Dark (1987)

                     I've loved this film since I was a kid. I can remember watching it countless times with my brother and sis whenever it was on HBO. On our first date, 2 years ago, the Dr. and i discussed vampires and this film came up. She had never seen it. I offered to watch it with her, I had it on blu ray, after all. Smooth, yes, very smooth. Only, we never got around to it. UNTIL LAST SATURDAY! So, to mark our anniversary we finally watched Kathryn Bigelow's take on a small group of vampires roving and feeding from small town to small town in the midwest. Not your typical sexy vampire film, but more gritty and dirty. Yet there is something erotic about it. Maybe its all that bloodsucking, or romanticizing the night and how dark it is?

More Horror!

I'm back with a round up from week 2, fiends!

I watched some doozies this week, but the best of the bunch has to be Candyman and a fun screening of Blood and Black Lace over at Cinemapolis, courtesy of the Ithaca Fantastik crew.

For the record- here's what I watched this week:

October 7: Creep (2005)
                  This isn't the one with the weird guy in the mask. This is about a woman (Franke Potente) who falls asleep on a subway platform, is trapped underground with a homeless couple and a mutant maniac named Craig. It seemed a lot like a movie that began as one thing, and then someone kept rewriting. I watched it so you don't have to.

October 8: Candyman (1992)
                  If you've never seen this masterpiece, I urge you to. Based on a Clive Barker short story, with a chilling score by Philip Glass, Candyman takes an urban legend known mainly in the projects, a dose of gentrification, and one "white savior" and twists them into something else.  Its a much different experience watching this racially charged film in 2019 vs. 1992 when it was released, but it also shows how little has changed. The internet is abuzz with talks of the upcoming remake by Jordan Peele and I am enthusiastically anticipating his take on it, and how he intends to reshape the legacy of Candyman.

October 9: Dolls (1987)
                 The cover of this VHS box scared me as a kid, so I had never seen Dolls until now.

With fun, practical effects, some hammy acting, and horrible people you will really enjoy see getting attacked by dolls and other toys, Stuart Gordon's underappreciated film really is a fun little gem. Imagination is magic, and this film is a reminder of that.

October 10: Two Evil Eyes (1990)
                    This was intended to be a series, but 2 directors backed out, so George Romero and Dario Argento stepped up with their adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe tales. The Romero Segment (The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar) was fun and felt like a Creepshow segment. The Argento one, however, (The Black Cat) was hard to watch. Mostly due to Harvey Keitel in a beret. Seriously, its all about Harvey Keitel as a jerk reporter/photographer/artist (beret), who kills his girlfriends cat. But cat's have 9 lives so... watch out, jerk in a beret!

October 11: Gothic (1986)
                   Oh, Ken Russell, how I love you so. This movie is over the top and kind of silly, but a beautiful and weird and erotic version of the night at Lord Byron's when Mary Shelley and co. told ghost stories. Modern Prometheus, anyone?

October 12: Blood and Black Lace (1964)

                   Oh, Mario Bava and the film people say started the giallo genre! I have been meaning to watch this for some time, and was delighted that Ithaca Fantastik was able to bring it to Cinemapolis for a showing. Sure, its dated and dubbed (which adds to it, I think) but its a gorgeous film- and not just for the attractive cast! A gloved murderer in a trench coat and mask is murdering the women in the fashion House of Christia! But who could be doing it! Thrills! Chills! 60's couture. Big Hair, attractive people. a wild score. Best watched with a crowd I, I think, but aren't most horror movies?