Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Movie List: Rating the films based on Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck

Some years ago I stumbled across the story of serial killers Raymond M Fernandez and Martha J Beck, also known as the Lonely Hearts Killers. Two absolute morons who hunted down lonely women through personal ads, scammed them, and then murdered them.

I didn't realize at the time, when I was watching Alleluia, I was seeing the most recent version of their story. Then some years later I stumbled across the cult classic, The Honeymoon Killers, and that's when I realized ... oh. This is yet another movie about this disgusting couple. 

Completely invested now, I had to watch all the films related to this insane story (admittedly, it makes for good horror drama). So here's my first movie rating list. Hope you enjoy!

At the time of this post, I could only find five films - please let me know if I missed one! 

In order from Worse to Best - I present:

Lonely Hearts (2006)

This was the last of the films I watched, and I am certain I didn't experience burnout - this was just Not Good. That said! If you're into film noir or just hard-talking detectives then you might want to give it at least one look. Now, while I did not like it, I will admit this film has a certain je ne sais quoi.

Certain aspects I particularly didn't care for, however, was just the blatant disregard for Martha's character. Here Beck is portrayed as a seductive femme fatale. Absolutely laughable. I lost it. I simply couldn't take anything serious about that, and maybe this is a little burnout talking. I feel I just know Beck's portrayal a little too well by the time I saw this film... 

Additionally, things just got crowded and confusing with the detective talking over the movie (it was not working here), and the side characters' dramas seemed wildly out of place with their forced complexities (which felt quite dull at the same time).  

With a star-studded cast - really surprised me - this very much Hollywoodized film clearly thought they could get away with whatever mess this was.

Best watched with a crowd. Pairs with whiskey on the rocks and pink cake. Here is where you can find it streaming.


Lonely Heart Bandits (1950)

This film opens with a murder/suicide. Which stopped me in my tracks. Wasn't prepared for that. I need answers.

Here we have a very of-the-era portrayal of a fast talking scumbag. Unlike the rest of the films, this one focuses heavily on Raymond's character, particularly at the beginning of the film. 

This movie has no time to waste, at running under an hour, it dives right into these two scheming heart-breakers politely agreeing to do crime together. Not remotely brutal or disturbing, this is a decent film to cozy up to, for a classic movie night in.

In all, this portrayal of serial killers not very nice people is tame, reserved, and damn near almost quaint. They took a lot of liberties with this one. Recommended for non horror fans.

Best watched nestled under blankets. Pairs with ice tea and comfort food. You can find this film on the Internet Archive, or quite likely YouTube as well. 


Deep Crimson (1996)

This film out of Mexico brings us back to the more traditional tale surrounding the "love" idiots. While, the film is good, quite good, it still wasn't my favorite. It's grimy though, and focuses nicely on the monsters they both are. I found it particularly poignant and well played that the film opens with Martha and her children. 

Her children, by the way, who she just gave away to run away with a man (which Beck actually did). It always struck me how this isn't discussed more in their actual story. In this film we see a complicated and seriously damaged side of her emotions regarding leaving her children in a shelter and just walking away. 

The two main characters are performed with horrifying brilliance and you can feel the desperation and total disconnect from reality, both individually and in-between them. Note, it did take me about a half hour to really get into this film, so be patient. 

Best watched with your partner for a f*cked up movie night. Wear toupees, just for fun. Pairs with diner food and alcohol directly from an unlabeled bottle.  Here is where you can find it streaming. 


Alleluia (2014)

This was my introduction to these serial killers, and my oh my did this one blow me away! I was not okay, for a while, after watching this Belgium film. Not Okay!

And just get a load of this poster! [morbid and disturbing chef's kiss].

So we may have had some solid grit and grime in the Deep Crimson cringe binge festival, but this oversteps all the boundaries. Bloody, chaotic, and just totally maddening, this film focuses heavily on intoxicating and blinding obsession, and how very wrong it can get. 

I have a lot more to say about this grotesque film. You can check out the full review here

And here's where you can find it streaming.


The Honeymoon Killers (1970)

This film feels like an infected open wound. It's putrid, depraved, obscene and the raw but calculating filming style just keeps ripping the wound at all corners, leaving you dripping in puss and sick. This is a truly unsettling film. 

That it is portrayed with such brilliance, makes it all the more terrifying!

An intimate look at this couple's dynamics, particularly Martha's unraveling and Ray's manipulation, is a masterpiece to behold. This movie will live rent free in your head and haunt you just to disrupt your day. You've been warned. 

According to IMDB, it is included as one of the top 100 Most Heart-Pounding American Movies (according to the American Film Institute's 2001 list). That tracks! This film also made my 8th Annual 50 Movies You May Have Missed List. 

I don't have much else to say about this masterwork. Check it out, if you dare! Here's where you can find it streaming. 


Stay tuned for more movie lists!

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Terror Firmer (1999)

[takes a deep breath]

You smell that? There's nothing quite like Troma in the morning! Let's check out the delightfully disgusting:



I love Troma films. Absolutely love them!

What is it about starting my weekend mornings off with blood baths, breasts, guts, sex everywhere, flying limbs, scathing and witty social commentary, body juices all over the place, fire, exploding body parts, and  just general chaos.

Who knows! That's between me and my therapist, I guess. 

Here we have the classic tale of a small budget film crew and a serial killer on the loose. Everything goes bad. That's all you need to know, it's just nonstop bedlam, roll with it. 

It's disgusting, it's so wildly disgusting and so wildly whip-smart - I found myself in laugh attacks while simultaneously recognizing the very real social commentary as body parts are flying around. In IMDB, there is a Trivia statement: 

"This movie is also known as "One giant Tribute to all Troma films" as this film has many similarities to other Troma movies. Some actors with small parts in this movie were the leading characters in other Troma movies."

I couldn't agree more. It's a love letter to Troma films. It's a love letter to society misfits, outcasts, artists, the chaos of independent film making, and how we're all bonded in our love for the unusual, absurd, and calling out the hypocritical. 

This film somehow reminded me of my days as a stage manager for a small independent theater company and I had to shout to the actors, "Could you please put some clothes on!" as I'm trying to wrangle them up for rehearsal and they're just running around half naked. Fond memories <3

That's all I'm going to say about this film. Walk into it blind, first thing on a weekend morning, like I did. If you are new to Troma films then there is absolutely nothing I can do to prepare you. It's a horror right of passage that must be done on your own.

Best watched on Sunday mornings. Pairs with friend eggs and hair of the dog of your choice. 

I watched this film on Kanopy, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can catch this beautiful disruption of normality. 

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Horror Habit is now on TikTok and Letterboxd

Hey everyone!

I've been trying out different ways relay reviews and my stellar humor, and also actually try and keep up with reviews, etc.


First, I'm still regularly watching horror films, I'm just not telling you all about them as often as I'd like. You can find my to watch list, latest activity, and list of recommendations here on Letterboxd. It's a handy tool that I really enjoy using, although I probably still won't get rid of my 12 year old Excel spreadsheet of movies. 😂 I also rate films on this application, which I won't do here. 


And now I'm really excited to share that I'm on TikTok! I'm doing a lot of experimenting there (more silly stuff than movie reviews), but I'm giving it a go - trying some things out, giving Horror Habit a little bit of a fresh face. So check it out! Let me know what you think. I may also add an Instagram some day, never had one before, but honestly, I'm already a bit overwhelmed with social media.

My thoughts on Saltburn (2023) and Poor Things (2023), and horror movies that are trying to tell me what to do!


I am still on Facebook! Come find me! Note, a lot of what I share there I also share here, minus some horror-themed memes and such. 


I am also on Twitter X - but I rarely, rarely ever use it for social activity aside from sharing links to my reviews here. 


You may also see me on IMDB, as I share links to my reviews there as well but I don't comment in the reviews. FYI


In all, I'm trying some new things out! Let me know what you think. ❤✌



Jolie


Monday, November 27, 2023

Skinamarink (2022)

This movie has been living rent free in my head for a while, and there it will probably stay for years. Shuttered, elusive, suffocating, and a royal mind f*ck - this film is not for everyone. 

Let's check out:



Let me start off by saying this is not a movie you *watch*, it's a movie you experience. This is very important. 

Best as I can tell, a young sister and brother are left alone (seemingly) in a house that slowly begins to trap them in an endless, windowless, light-less, and parent-less home. They take care of each other and their loneliness by watching cartoons and playing with toys in the living room - all while a *creature* lurks in the darkness, trying to separate and further isolate the naive and abandoned siblings. 

This was a rough film. It conjures scary memories of childhood - which, even in the best settings - can be a frightening place.

There are debates online about what this film is really about. Is it about child abuse? Abandonment? Parental neglect through drug and alcohol abuse? There's also talk about perhaps this entire story is regarding head trauma, lost time, comas, or a dream/nightmare. The writer and director is mum on the topic, and rightfully so. Again this film is about experience and that experience is specific to the viewer.  

Personally, I wanted to cry while being terrified and desperately searching for things in the darkness. 

There's not enough money in the world to be a child again. Hell no. This incredibly unique film honestly taps into the fear and vulnerability of children. A very delicate topic that was expertly executed with care and heart.  

This is 100%, absolutely, not a film for everyone. Are you an art house cinephile? Come on in - the water is fine! There is a lot to talk about with this one. 

And that's about it. I felt like I was in a late night edgy art show in a really sketchy part of town, and I could only experience what the paintings and sculptures were trying to convey by seeing the art work through the entire experience of the venue and other people. 

Pairs with food you would make as an 8 year old. Best watched alone or with just a few people who you can periodically converse with when a epiphany hits. 

Good luck.

I watched this film on Shudder or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this truly unsettling feature. 

Monday, November 13, 2023

The Day of the Locust (1975)

Somewhere in the back of my brain, I knew this movie was originally a book. I'm not so sure I have the courage to read it though after this viewing experience. Let's check out the classic story:



Oh god. 

I really had no idea what I was getting into with this one. But based on what little information I did take a peek at, I was pretty confident that I was going to get sucked down some sort of David Lynchian madness, mixed with a healthy dose of emotional chaos, and a hearty meal of existential dread. 

Guess what?

I Was Right!

I'm never fully prepared for these experiences, however. This one is no exception. 

Opening with an eerily familiar Mulholland Drive vibe, where folks are arriving to LA to find their fame, we are greeted with a cast of characters that only rivals the cast of characters I have an uncanny knack to find when I leave my house. This is all to say: very interesting, curiously comedic, and often tragic. 

It's 1930's Hollywood and the hustle for the lime light is real. "Spoiler alert" but to no one's surprise - things don't go well for our little cast of characters...

This entire film is chaos, heartbreak, the celebration and horror of our collective delusions about life/ourselves/our dreams, and rubbernecking consumption of our failures. A real charmer, this film.

I was quite impressed with the tiny little nods to prior LA tragedies, legends, etc. For example, when some of the folks take a tour by the Hollywood sign, the tour guide talks about a woman who jumped to her death from the sign. I knew immediately they were talking about the tragic case of Peg. Entwistle

And when they went to a church sermon - as soon as the woman started shouting and preaching from the stage, asking for money - they were in the company of the controversial (and in my opinion, cult leader) Sister Aimee.

Countless other Easter eggs too, no doubt, but I didn't catch all of them. There is A Lot going on in this stylish, memorizing, and fantastically well made film. 

While this film is bleak, odd, morbidly funny, and just downright shocking in many ways, what really gave me chills was realizing what happened to the author of this story. Nathanael West, while not well known at the time, produced profound works observing our absurd life landscapes. Particularly the shadows of tinsel town. Arguably, a poet for piercing social commentary.

So yeah, while the entire film (which doesn't *exactly* have a plot) gave me chills, it's knowing that this author - who was friends with F. Scott Fitzgerald (there's an irony there I can't quite place) - when he got word of Fitzgerald's sudden death, him and his wife raced in their car back to LA from Mexico for his funeral. 

And it's on that trip where both passed away in a car accident. One day after Fitzgerald's death. This news gave me quite a shiver down the spine. 

Okay, to wrap up, if the chaos and horror of the ending of the film mother! gave you all the nightmares then tread carefully with the ending of this film. It's.... something else. It took me all the way to the end of this movie to realize what this film was actually about, though....

So there you have it, folks. Best watched with your most unstable friend. Pairs with alcohol, ice cream, a really fancy charcuterie board.  (preferably with flies buzzing around).

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this film that will absolutely haunt my head for the rest of my days.