Creep (2014)

When Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass wrote Creep, I picture them sitting in a local bar during happy hour, telling jokes and talking about how creepy Craigslist can be. Then one of them says: "...you know what would be really creepy...?"

I seem to be hitting the jackpot with these found footage New Worst Best Friends Ever films (see also my review of Tin Can Man). This is another thoroughly entertaining movie that is sure to give you plenty of the "No, no way man - that's just messed up!"

I also really appreciate how absurdly funny this movie turned out to be. It's witty dark funny, though. Super witty dark. Dark. I got the impression that Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass had a hell of a lot of fun writing, creating, acting, and filming this one.

The story line is simple enough: man answers a Craigslist add to film a dude, and things spiral out of control from there. To my surprise, Creep is also an exceptionally well suited title - short and sweet that it is. 

The audience encounters a couple jump scares but mostly it's just a calm and winding stroll through a mad-riddled Creepville. Suspense builds quickly, but it's the blatant and unapologetic *creepiness* that caught me off guard and I found most entertaining. For instance, they make the word "peachfuzz" turn into something out of your worst childhood nightmare. Peachfuzz, folks. Peachfuzz.

I absolutely enjoyed this film. So much so that I kinda sorta want to watch it again right now. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there are plenty of foreshadowing gems hidden by clever evil genius throughout - just waiting to be found.

If you're looking for something unsettling, disturbing, unnerving, and with plenty of dark humor then I highly recommend you see Creep. Watch with someone who just started talking to you at the bus stop and now won't go away OR watch with some of your most trusted peoples. Will pair well with shots of whiskey or suspicious looking florescent drinks. Snacks: food designed to look like cute little faces or critters but turn out disastrously wrong. Like this:

The trailer below will give you an excellent idea of what this movie is about: 

I saw this film on Netflix streaming. Use the links under Find It. Watch It. on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this fun and downright thrilling feature.

The Haint (2001)

I've been working on a play this year. Well, technically, revising a play. The original version was first performed by the Nebunele theater troupe in their own beautiful guerrilla style way, some years back. Now I'm simply sharpening it up for an actual stage. I'm pretty excited about it. Not sure how far it will go in the theatre world but I'm moving onward all the same.

In-between play writing time, I ran into another play: The Haint. Folks, I had no idea this was a play until I started watching it. Also, what in the world is a "haint"?

I learned many things just a matter of minutes with this Southern belle.

Simpy put: a haint is a restless spirit, and a term most popular in the Southern states. Paranormal fan that I am, it was a bit of a blow to realize that I've never heard (or if I had, understood) this word before! However, I have yet to visit the South, so I'm going to forgive myself for this arcane knowledge faux pas... 

Here's a little story from Appalachian History.net to give you a better idea of this unique community-driven/humorous/gossipy ghost. Also, if you happen to stumble upon Foxfire book #2 then you'll learn quite a bit about Southern "Boogers, Witches, and Haints". 

This particular Haint is a recording of a play and consists of 13 characters all performed by one amazing actor and fellow Seattleite: Troy Mink. He is hilarious, moving, adorable, and so remarkably good that it's hard to believe he's the only person on stage. The story quickly dives into the social dramas of a small Southern town, a sad but bizarre death, and how the folks of town deal with their uniquely perceived and potentially prosperous haint.

Note! This play should not be confused with Justin Asher's play of the same name. Two different stories. To learn more about Mink and this Haint, check out the play's StageDirect link.

Although great for most ages, the younger crowd may not fully understand all the drawling social, religious, or economic conflicts. The older crowd, however, may completely appreciate the incredible dark humor and the truths that lies therein.

In all, this is a wonderful one hour play. Highly recommended for the whole family, individuals of all ages, small groups, thespians, appreciators of the Southern Gothic, and every walk of ghost story fan.

Recommended pairing: get on a porch, have your iced tea ready, and sit back like you're about to spin a yarn. OR just chill out on the couch and get yourself ready for chuckles and some very fine drama.

As of today, this video is available through Amazon. Free with an Amazon Prime account. Use the links under Find It. Watch It. on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this fantastic performance.

Mad Ron's Prevues From Hell (1987)

I've been seeing a lot of really great horror movies lately. Seemed high time I watched some wonderful and delicious super fun trashy camp.

I stumbled upon Mad Ron's Prevues From Hell in Netflix's Cult Horror Movie section. My initial response: "A movie about previews I like, but why in the world did they spell 'previews' like that?"

Already a huge fan of late night horror movie hosts, I thought this weird blend of horror movie host meets ventriloquist meets I'm-thinking-this-man-spends-too-much-time-alone-in-the-basement would be the perfect ingredient to cleanse the horror movie watching palate.

I WAS RIGHT

This host is weird, though. Uncomfortably weird and at times, I feel, inappropriate. For the ladies especially: you will know what I'm talking about.

That said, I really enjoyed the actual movie previews! I suppose this is good for Mad Ron, considering that the previews are the focus of the film... In any case, I saw trailers for many films I love, some I've heard about, and still many more that I now need to see for myself. For a full list of all the trailers featured, go here.

The movie moved through it's very lengthy list of previews with speed and efficiency, but I have to tell you, I got gored out. ME. I watch Hellraiser for breakfast and I became gore-weary by Mad Ron's 'prevues'! This movie showed so many famous (and not so famous) pillars of the macabre blood fest community, back-to-back, that I had to take a break for a moment. It didn't help that the exploitation of almost every women seen in this film quickly became a little too much for me. Little. Too. Much.

Although I am aware of the dated material, I had a hard time moving past all the social commentary nearly every film/trailer was saying about it's time, place, and hype of the era. That's right folks, I went political on a super campy movie hosted by a ventriloquist. I'm not sure what that is saying about me or the horror movies (or how many) I watch...

Moving on.

In all, this is a very fun film for most, and it is absolutely perfect for a drinking game. For instance, shots every time the omnipresent trailer voice tells you to remind yourself: "It's only a movie!" A swig of beer every time you hear: "Shocking!" or "Most Horrifying Film Ever To Be Seen!"

Wait. You know what. On second thought. Don't turn this movie into a drinking game. You'll not make it to the end, and someone might be heading to the hospital.

I highly recommend you watch with a large group. Popcorn, soda, beer, wine, snacks. Get all huddled around the TV and prepare for hilarity, eye rolling, hardy-har-hars, and a super outrageous blood bath to soak the day away in.

Again, I watched this through Netflix. Use the links under Find It. Watch It. on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this campy 1980's nugget.

Check out this trailer, It will give a really good taste of what to expect: