Wrinkles the Clown (2019)

Somehow in my last post, I neglected to mention that I'd watched Wrinkles the Clown. If you haven't heard of this documentary (yes, it's a documentary) I am posting the trailer so you can see what its all about. Watch it, I'll wait.

You watched it? Good.

I don't really want to say much about this one so I don't spoil it for anyone, but I do want to say its not as scary as you think it will be. It's clever and a little twisty, and the stuff that's scary isn't the clown.

Although, he's pretty creepy.

Mountain (2018)

Last night I saw the documentary Mountain at my dear old local Cinemapolis. I am so glad I was able to catch this breathtaking film! I won't say much about it, other than it is a feast for the eyes and ears, as it is scored by the Australian Chamber Orchestra and narrated by Willem Dafoe- he's reading the words of author Robert MacFarlane. This stunning doc deserves to be seen on a big screen. At times I felt like I was at an IMAX movie. I should add the disclaimer that if you have a great fear of heights, then maybe wait for this to stream. But if you are fearless when it comes to watching others climb truly epic peaks and adrenaline junkies dive off of them with skis strapped on, you will be in awe of this gorgeous film. 

How Many Friday the 13th Movies Are There?

I just spent a big chunk of my Sunday watching Crystal Lake Memories (2013) a comprehensive 6 and a half hour documentary on the entire Friday the 13th series. I'm talking Freddy vs. Jason, the reboot, and Friday the 13th: the Series, too!

Awwwwwwww...

Now, I know you're thinking, "Woody, you have too much time on your hands". This statement might be true, but I have had this doc in my queue for years now, and figured today would be a perfect time to just lie on the couch with the dogs and take in all 6 and a half hours of the history of Jason Voorhees.

For a lengthy doc about an extensive franchise, I have to say it was extremely enjoyable from start to finish. Crystal Lake Memories features interviews with almost everyone involved- writers, actors, producers, directors, and effects folks. They talk about the film but also dish on gaffs during shooting, script changes, problems on set, challenges and random Friday lore.

Not counting the series, there have been 12 films, each with a different director, writer, and most with a different Jason. Thanks to this doc I now realize I have seen 10 of them (Sorry, Jason X and the reboot). I will always remember watching the very first film at a young age and being terrified by these gory kills at camp. What was even scarier was the reveal that the killer was Jason's mom! The second one delivered scares, too, and I would love to see part 3 in 3D someday. The movies were standbys at so many slumber parties I went to, and always got plenty of screams, even if the movies weren't that great. Jason just scared everybody, and each movie tried to outdo the kills in the one before it.

I also loved the cheesy Friday the 13th Series (which had nothing to do with Jason) when it first aired. The allure of an antique shop filled with cursed items appealed to teenage me, and I would seek episodes out, staying up later than I probably should have, just to see what item they'd be tracking down. Prime is now streaming it, so I might revisit the show and see if it holds up.

As for the films, I think I want to revisit some of them. Although I still might pass on Jason X. Cuz Space. Jason in Space.