Spree (2020)

October Challenge Day 6

Oh social media - what has it turned us into? Let's talk about the "dark comedy" that is:

Spree

This story follows a young man who just wants the internet to notice him. Sadly, he goes to extremes to get there. 

While this film is really just making fun of everyone who relies on social media for validation and monetization, with a ride share spin (which was fun), there are a lot of darker issues at play.

For instance, I think this film exposes the exhaustion (and madness making) so many people have about the focus on "likes", "followers", "influencers", and "going live" and/or "going viral". That goes both ways for the viewer and creator. Hell, after the film, I tried to watch some TikToks and got an immediate headache, even nauseous - I needed to literally touch grass and listen to some music for a bit there. 

This is an unserious and lighthearted look at things too, however, where we can all laugh at our profound dumb assess, hunched over a phone. 

So, while psychosis is a very real thing and seeing it in real time on social media is something that happens and we should all pay attention to it - recognize it for what it is - the lengths our young man here goes to capture everything and making dynamic content for his 3 viewers are impressive. You'll chuckle but you'll be a little sad. 

This is an exhausting film and I don't think I'll be catching it again, but it did a great job in capturing our collective crazy. Super shout out to the camera work and its editing with this one too. Very creative and effective!

#Blessings

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 difficult to watch for multiple reasons movie.

Room 205 (2007)

October Challenge Day 5

So this Danish film surprised me! Let's talk about:

Room 205

As a grandchild of Danes, I think I mistakingly expected more. But as a Dane, I'm going to enjoy myself regardless.

So, this is ... an interesting film. I can't say it's great. Honestly it was a struggle most of the time for me, but I was trying to make an omelette at the time I started the film, so my attention was distracted and I'm not a good omelette maker. 

Once my omelette was made, however, I realized the ending is pretty unhinged and all over the place. Which is fun! I like a good mess sometimes! [see also omelette]

Here we have the story of a young woman heading to college, doing all the college things (e.g., meeting the mean girls, the douche guy, etc.,) and she starts learning about the ghost of a "...girl who died in room 205". Suddenly something is unleashed and people start dying, paranormal stuff is happening, young love is bubbling, and a battle with glass and mirrors is everywhere (metaphors abound here).

In all, a story about: finding yourself while battling the afterlife!

At the core, however, is a sexual assault that prompted this activity. This film captures a zeitgeist of our times - an Awareness, if you will - that was truly unsettling and spoke volumes, so watch with caution.

This is not a terrible movie, and it's not a great one either, but it's a solid feature for a spooky not "scary" night. Actually, it's a good hygge film for those cold, dark, nights and you're looking for a cozy ghost story.

Pairs with boiling, feral, unfettered rage about campus sexual assault crimes, in particular. 

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 Nordic chiller.

The Hole in the Ground (2019)

October Challenge Day 4

Is it an Irish Changling or is Mom stressed out and tired! A question as old as time.  Let's talk about:

The Hole in the Ground

This is a familiar story trope: single mother is trying to make it but struggles, especially when their kid starts acting strange. I think this resonates so well because it's so real - it's day-to-day for countless people. 

My family included. Mom had her hands full, raising three kids on her own, poverty-ridden. Maybe that's why I absolutely did not have children. Maybe that's why I feel I really understand the messages of these stories.

For this film we're traveling to Ireland, where a single Mom relocates herself and her child to a remote area and strange things begin to happen - something is in the woods....

Then one day her child goes missing - but when found, more strange things begin to happen and Mom no longer trusts her child is actually her child. 

A quiet, slow burn throughout most of the film, the end picks up with a chilling display of the monsters really at work here.

I like this film for the mood and grimey atmosphere - and it actually made me miss my own Mom a bit, with her and the wonderful tales she'd share about elves, imps, and fairies. 

These are NOT the fae you want to mess with, though! Actually, you don't want to mess with any fae.... This is a good watch for those who don't want something too scary but want a little spooky for the spooky season. 

Pairs with a favorite soup, the smells of earth, and a friend or two who wouldn't doubt it if you told them you saw a changling. 

I watched this film on HBO, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this "old wives' tale" of a film. 

Midnight Vendetta aka Poison (2001)

October Challenge Day 3

This film starts out with a husband pimping out his wife to a business executive, in the hopes of a new position at the office. 

WOW

I could also immediately tell this film was from the early 2000s. I can't explain it but you can also somehow smell it. Or maybe that's because it might be a little porn-y. This might be a soft porn film, folks. I'm not sure what else to call it.

Let's talk about the surprisingly entertaining film that is:

 Midnight Vendetta aka Poison

After the initial shock of the opening scene - which was RUDE - it's just a wild opening scene, the film quickly pivots to an accidental comedy of extreme drama. I was howling.

This troubled couple then argues about the rape, the husband drives off upset after loosing the job he pimped his wife out for, and dies in a wild car crash. And: scene!

What happens next is so wildly funny it's hard to describe, as we're introduced to the family of the woman who "stole" his job. The "Power Hungry" Mom. The "Seventeen Year Old" adventurous daughter. The "Alarmingly Young and Comically Useless" Husband (who I'm pretty sure I saw on a Hallmark movie poster in the film A History of Concrete - which I caught yesterday at a packed theater). And finally "The Maid".

Take a moment to soak these scenes in, people. It will take a minute to adjust your eyes. But then!! Our angry widow weasels her way into the family .... for REVENGE.

Think a more evil and porn-y version of The Hand That Rocks The Cradle~!!

This film is overly dramatic in such a silly way you can't help but love it. It's cheap, it's fun, it's trashy, and alarmingly engaging. Oh, and don't forget the porn scenes (which are just fine for polite society)! I had so much fun by the end that I'm adding it to my favorites list. 

Pairs with family sized frozen dinners and off brand sodas.

I watched this film on Tubi, of course, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this slutty little adventure. 

Resident Evil (2026)

October Challenge Day 2

My brother called up me recently and asked if I wanted to see the latest Resident Evil film. I wasn't exactly thrilled - it wasn't totally on my radar, and I had lost track of the series after the first film from a lifetime ago (aka 2002). Then he added "It's getting really great reviews". Coming from him, that's a big deal. I said, Okay. Let's go.

Let's talk about:

Resident Evil

I got us balcony tickets at the Cinerama, grabbed some popcorn and drinks, and settled in for an adventure - as I walked in completely blind.  

This film had me roaring with fears and cheers. I was bouncing all over my seat at the jump scares, cackling at the ridiculous, and overall having a great time. I was having so much fun I didn't notice my brother was sitting there .... silent.

By the end of the film I excitedly turned to him and asked, "What did you think? I loved it!"

He turned to me and said, decidedly, "I hated it."

I was dumbfounded, as we agree on most films. He added that he thought the main character was stupid and embarrassing - that nothing was scary, and overall it felt cheep and silly.

I said, "Yes, I agree - that's why I loved it!"

That's when I realized:

My brother is a gamer, and when he played this video game he was scared. It was a fun game for him to play.

I am not a gamer, and I think what I saw and experienced from the film was as if I was a player in the game. See, this young man here, our protagonist, is hapless, bumbling, and just making bad decision after bad decision as he navigates a hellscape of creatures and nightmares - like in a game. The same mistakes and misshapes a player would make. 

The monsters were frightening and fun because the film *felt* like a video game, and should I be playing it, I would shout, holler, and laugh too if a man-beast-thing came rolling up the wall after me on it's 15 legs.

In short, I think my brother was looking for a deeper experience, based on his gaming experience. I didn't know what to expect and still play the original Dr. Mario from time to time, and found it a rock n' roll great time. I would recommend this film on the big screen, however!!

Watch this film with friends if you can, laugh and scream together - it's fun. Pairs with very very very buttery popcorn and your favorite drink. 

I caught this film in the theater but I anticipate it will be streaming soon. Or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this wild ride.