Beau Is Afraid (2023)

October Challenge Day 28

I read some reviews of this film that stated, essentially, "F*ck Beau, I'm afraid!". Let's talk about:

Beau is Afraid

Oh boy, this one is an odyssey. 

Here we have the life and legend of a timid man who faces his fears ... sort of. 

Poor Beau is a slump of a man. Living in poverty, in an almost comically insane neighborhood, getting ready to fly and visit his extraordinarily wealthy and powerful mother. When running back to get some floss right before his trip turned out to be the worst decision he ever made.

Yes, this is certainly a film about a domineering mother and her suffocating son, there is so much more to say about society, a man's emotional growth, purpose, and the crippling anxiety that ruins everything.

While, this film is serious and intense, there is a giant dick and balls battle that is sure to delight all!

An existential crisis after crisis throughout the long film, the ending wraps up with a sober dose of wildly dark humor and solid dread. Not for everyone - or rather, you have to be ready to appreciate this punch in the gut and the bitter and vengeful pat on the face.

Best watched in a small group, preferably a group studying philosophy, religion, or depression. Pairs with anything served on broken, dingy plates with rusted silverware. The grosser the better.   

I watched this film on HBO Max or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this charmingly sad nightmare. 

The Premonition (1975)

October Challenge Day 27

As someone who has had premonitions before, I thought this might be interesting. Let's take a look at:

The Premonition

Oh holy smokes, I was NOT prepared for this!

Surprisingly haunting and disturbing, this one follows two very deranged people trying to kidnap their(??) child back. 

This film has a Don't Look Now feel. The Changeling air. A psychosis of Carnival of Souls, and so many more classic films.

The birth parents of the child are absolutely terrifying! Some of the scariest! And what in the world do you call this film? A ghost story? A stalking film? An unraveling mind?

I think I was expecting to see some low budget '70s camp. And I was watching some .... until it wasn't low budget camp anymore. I did, however, end up in some sort of TED talk for a short while, which quickly descended into a psychic intervention.

This is a strange, strange film that will stick with me for a long time. 

Madness, cruelty, parapsychology, kidnapping, a women's unwavering INSTINCT: this film is an art house show bundled, incorrectly, as a late night double feature. 

A cult classic for sure - this will live in the hearts of artists, musicians, and fans of the paranormal. Brava.

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video, and the DVD includes three short films that every theater student, film student, or director of either needs to see:

Terminal Point (1969)

Vernal Equinox (1968)

A Rumbling In the Land (1969)

Or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this wild adventure into the spirit, heart, and mind.

The Human Monster aka The Dark Eyes of London (1939)

October Challenge Day 25

Oh, well ... it was interesting! Let's talk about:

The Human Monster aka The Dark Eyes of London

Now, I typically appreciate a good ol' black and white classic, particularly from the '30s and '40s. And this one is no exception - it checked off all the boxes!

Bumbling

Femme Fatale(ish)

Hard knock detective(s)

Sinister people hiding in the shadows

A "happy" ending - usually with the threat of marriage

This is the tale of a corrupt insurance agent and the bodies he's making money off of. But wait! He's also experimenting on people? He's also a "Physician"? But wait there is still more! Heavy on the focus of a homeless shelter full of blind men. 

While being a little all over the place, I was impressed with how they wove all these characters and situations together - and was especially impressed with the dedication to blindness. I couldn't quite figure if I was insulted or educated. The folks in this homeless shelter are paraded as skilled laborers .... but also used as a buffer for heinous activities. In all, it was an interesting take. 

So while illegal events are surrounding these insurance scams, Scotland Yard calls in the AMERICANS to come help. Lololololololololololo. The comic relief has arrived. 

Now, I have plans later today - excited to say I'm going to the Concrete, WA Ghost Walk! I had so much fun last year I'm gonna do it again! So I watched this as a chill, delightful Saturday afternoon entertainer before the drive to this little town in the woods. I think it would also do well as a late, rainy night watch. 

Best watched alone while working on projects. Pairs with ice cream or soup. 

I watched this on Tubi or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this odd ball charmer. 

The House with Laughing Windows (1976)

October Challenge Day 22

Oh this has been on my To Watch list for YEARS! In fact, I have been wanting to see this film for so long, I finally put down a $200 deposit to rent it! Lololololo. Let's check out this Giallo gem:

The House with Laughing Windows 

Putting animals in a coffin as a prank during a funeral

Refrigerator full of snails crawling everywhere

Solving an eel situation in the waters that is never discussed again

A cursed church fresco

Electric cords that start on fire

A mad painter

"Caught on fire, ran off, period."

Paralyzed woman locked away? No problem. She probably has a venereal disease

These are the good things a good Giallo film is made of! And this one blew it out of the water. Bonus! Spooky, scary house!

Here we find a young man who's been summoned to a small Italian village to fix a church fresco.  He starts getting strange phone calls to NOT fix the fresco and when he does it anyway, people start dying, disappearing, or deceiving.

I don't watch a lot of Giallo films and that's on me - there's no excuse for this level of lackadaisical. So expect more. 

This is a spooky one, a cripplingly sinister film in a dingy, forgotten part of a fever dream. Captivating and engaging in every way (make sure your eyes are glued at all times), with a masterpiece of set design: this one is for you, especially, cinephiles. 

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video (Wednesdays are rent one get one free day!) or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's to see where else you can find this absolutely stellar, skin crawling, feature.

Psycho (1960), Psycho II (1983), Psycho III (1986), Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990)

October Challenge Day 13

So, I watched all the Psycho films in one day.... here are some thoughts on:

Psycho (1960), Psycho II (1983), Psycho III (1986), Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990)

So, I don't have much to add about the first film. It's a classic. A study. A brilliant use of all forms of art. More importantly (in my opinion) a perfect example of: if the movie scares you, cover your ears - not your eyes. 

I was hesitant diving into this one, and at first I wasn't really hooked. It felt forced at times ... and yet, things began to change for me when I realized I'm building sympathy for this man, this lost soul. He's just trying to get by, guys, start anew! He did his time. Leave him alone. 

But people are not leaving him alone, some are out for revenge.

The ending sold it for me. Slam dunk! In all, this was a solid return to our weirdo buddy and his "mother".  

Settle in with takeout from a dingy diner with this one.

Now [takes glasses off the face, rubs face], this took a turn for the wild and I LOVED IT. I saw a review refer to this film as the "slutty sister" of the franchise and I have to totally agree. I also agree that it's the slutty sister who is typically having the most fun - this film certainly did. 

This movie starts out with a woman shouting "God isn't real!" and everything went insane after that - like watching dominoes fall in a cinematic display - and they just keep falling. Here we have Norman  chilling at the Motel when a disgraced nun and a male drifter show up. Oh my, I think this might be my favorite of the franchise (I appreciate them all but for different reasons).

This is such a roller coaster watch,  a state fair fun house experience. Gory, very '80s slasher, wild and wacky while also being a gem of a story. Overall, I found this one thoroughly entertaining - straight up entertaining. 

Now, I love a good origins story, but I was sad to see this origin story didn't align with the origin story presented in the 3rd film! Just went in a different direction, particularly related to Norman's father. 

Different so much in that this is a serious feeling film. Disturbing in a different way.

Here we have Norman calling into a late night talk show (calling himself Ed, lolololo), while cooking a nice meal and birds sitting in their cage on the kitchen counter for some reason (chirping in the background), sharing his childhood. 

I love the premise, in fact, I love how he's presented in this film. And yet, and yet, this is by far the most boring of the four films. It's also just odd - I had a hard time picturing his mother in this presentation. It was disappointing, actually.  It's still a worthy watch.

This was a solid adventure for a day free of plans!

I own the first film and rented the rest. Use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find these features!

The Woman in Cabin 10 (2025)

October Challenge Day 12

Watch this film like I did - Sunday, early evening, with the rain steady but gentle coming down, you're juggling several pots (literally) on the stove, two cats are at your feet that you keep almost tripping over, and then you accidentally set the smoke alarm off. Let's talk about:

The Woman in Cabin 10

I'm rarely this early for newly released films, but since I finished the latest Monster series with Ed Gein (which I'll get to....), I thought this might be a fun one to dip my toes in.

Here we have the classic story of a woman not being believed. 

A journalist is invited to an exclusive yacht to celebrate philanthropy only to discover she's the target of a murder hit. 

It's campy and delicious and perfect for rotting away to, or in my case, constructively rotting.

I went on a week long cruise in June, still think about it - it was an experience - and this one just tickled a little bit of that memory. Luxury boat life is nuts, stupidly decadent and a nice place to remember that we're just short-lived organisms hurtling through space on a rock. 

This film is to be enjoyed with a quiet evening to one's self, eating cheese, truffles or ice cream, curled up in your favorite cozy clothes, without a care in the world. It's not a deep film, it's not even a really *intense* film, it's just fun. Fun murder. 

I can see where this film would be a fun, fast summer read. It's a fun, fast, autumn watch. 

This film is currently only on Nextflix. Or, in time, use the Find It! Watch It! links to see where else you can find this girl's girl thriller. 

The Cremator (1967)

October Challenge Day 8

I really didn't know what I was getting myself into when I checked out this film - it's a doozy! Let's check out the mental hellscape that is:

The Cremator

I picked a strange time in our current political climate to watch a Czech film about a sexual glutenous and financially greedy man slowly loose his mind, in public, with celebration of the Nazi party coming to invade and ruin people's lives. He thinks it's a wonderful thing .... to die, particularly by cremation.

This is a wild film - and wildly aware. A menacing and scathing comedy nightmare about the hungers of power and how it will be your personal downfall, every time.

Filmed like a late night theater performance, told like a man's obituary or read at his funeral, and portrayed with all the art of witty intellectualism, this is a stunning performance and a very frightening portrayal of madness.

Best watched with history buffs, social workers - particularly those who work with domestic violence cases, or alone after reading the news. Pairs with rich meals, carp, or heavily frosted cupcakes. 

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 chilling look into demented minds.

The Unwanted (2014)

October Challenge Day 5

As soon as I saw this was based on the Sheridan Le Fanu's short story Carmilla, I was hooked. I'm a fan of his work and surprisingly haven't read this story yet - so it was a delightful surprise to experience this modern retelling. Let's check out:

The Unwanted

 

Now, this isn't a great remake, but it's honest and raw. A pleasent watch for a cold, dark, rainy night. 

Here we have the tale of a loner looking for her mom - and then stumbles into a relationship with a father and daughter who know more than they're sharing about this stranger's mom....

Very Gothic, very Victorian, very man has the scares because woman have opinions and thoughts of their own. Only recommended for those who are slow burner fans and fans of the story style in which is is based off. 

Heady horror, and a little cheesy at the same time. Bonus, lesbians, which I don't see a lot of in horror films. 

To appreciate this film I think you need to know and appreciate womens' horror in the mundane. Think The Yellow Wallpaper, or any Shirley Jackson novel. 

While vampires are a background for this story, it also begs the question of who is a vampire here... this also might be a love story but that's arguable. 

With a brutal and insane ending, this is a must watch for fans of the obscure. 

I watched this film on Kanopy. Use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this swampy feature.

The Candy Snatchers (1973)

October Challenge Day 30

Check out this mighty excellent '70s exploitation film! What more fitting a film for right before Halloween. Let's check out:

The Candy Snatchers

On second thought. No, it's actually about child abuse and kidnapping....

Here we have sweet teenage Candy, who's family has a lot of jewels. Three pieces of shit kidnap Candy for ransom. 

Uh Oh, though. I mute child accidentally stumbled across the crime scene! They have a witness who can't speak!

Bumbling commences. Bumbling, graphic interactions, yelling, screaming, and everything that comes from a classic late night exploitation film.

I would certainly call this movie a classic. It's gritty, raw, hilariously overdramatic, and just overall fun gross.

Absolutely watch with friends and it really should be a late night showing. Perfect for  midnight +. Maybe watch while you're eating Halloween candy. 

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side to see where else you can find this masterpiece of absurdity.

The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting (2003)

October Challenge Day 28

Well, we're coming to an end soon with this daily challenge. I'm going to miss you, October!

I'm not going to miss you, much:

The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting

I have not been waiting for you, it seems.... 

My brother sent this to me as some sort of challenge. When he handed over the DVD he had rented, I detected a smirk on his face. 

About 5 minutes into the film I burst out laughing. Yep, we siblings know each other well!

Here's the story about a couple who are traveling down rural Texas and pick up a hitch-hiker. 

Everything goes wrong from there!

Uh. This is not a good film. It's accidentally funny and wildly chaotic though, and that makes it Entertaining!

With not a whole lot of good things to say about it, I did enjoy goofy bedlam. It feels like if a movie spent the afternoon day drinking in the sun. It looked like a made-for-TV movie that was shown on a big screen. In all: this film is certainly something.

This movie was rented 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 visual explosion.

I Am Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders (2024)

October Challenge Day 27

Well, normally I wait until November until I dive into a TON of true crime documentaries, but I'm all willy nilly this year. Let's check out: 

I'm Not A Monster: The Lois Riess Murders

Gurl. You sure about that?

Also, the tag line is HILARIOUS. Who did that? WHO DID THAT? ... there's something wrong with grandma.... OMG

I remember hearing about this story when it first came out. Wild. A husband is found dead, wife is missing and a suspect in his murder, and then things continue to get f*cking wild. 

Ma'am. You might not see yourself as a monster but there's certainly some monster in there! Seriously. 

We're taken down her paths of abuse, mental illness (and there's a lot in that family), her quirkiness, her addiction, and the lengths she took to avoid taking accountability. She's a frustrating one - with plenty of truths in there to account for her behavior. 

She's a murderer. Plain and simple. How she became that way and what she did is a compelling story, however. This is a true horror story, for so many. And a reminder that monsters are in fact real and they come in all forms - be it as a human or the things in life that help create monsters.  

Best watched with a bestie who will help you bury the body. Pairs with apples pies. I watched this film on HBO Max, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this moderately thrilling documentary. 

Satan's Little Helper (2004)

October Challenge Day 25

So, I ... I went through a weird period in my life, during the early 2000's, where I thought I saw this film - among so many others. 

I'm just now realizing that that must have just been some weird fever dream because nearly all the films I thought I saw in the early 2000's - I didn't. This one included. 

Let's talk about: 

Satan's Little Helper

I .... do not like this film. I appreciate this film! Just don't really like it.... 

Here we have the story of a child who is really into video games and mistakes a serial killer as "Satan" from the video game. He's delighted. So is the serial killer. 

This is a cheeky film. It's as if John Waters and Troma had a love child. It's wildly inappropriate and a blood bath - all to say it's fun and entertaining. Just not my go-to fun and entertaining.

But here's where this film was a super win for me. I curled up on the couch on a Friday night, had all my snacks, turned on Joe Bob Brigg's Last Drive-In and he had this playing. Win win win all the way. 

There really is nothing like a late night TV host, sheparding you through horror films on a weekend night. I was in heaven. Just drift away in the comfort of absurdity, humor, gore, and the community of horror.

This is a good film for those weekend nights. This is a great film for those nights. 

I watched this film on Shudder or use Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this cheeky, cheeky feature. 

Piggy (2022)

October Challenge Day 24

Well, this one has been on my To Watch list for a while. Let's go, let's check out: 

Piggy

And it should come to no one's surprise that this is a disturbing feature about very real horrors. Bullying.

I hate bullies. 

OH DO I HATE BULLIES

This young woman is bullied by everyone. Family, community, school - everyone. She's their punching bag and it's hard to watch. It's really hard to watch. 

And then a serial killer shows up in town and is all "Got you, gurl."

Which, if you ask me, is another form of bullying! Now she's at the mercy of a gaddamn serial killer. 

This film is predictable and also not. I watched the end a few times. Just know that. 

This is a slasher film with a different bullied twist....

One could argue that I bullied bullies, particularly in high school. I remember seeing a friend standing in the hallway, crying, because a shit of a boy made fun of her in gym class. 

I immediately hunted - *HUNTED* this boy down. Found him in the computer room and made of a mockery of his entire existence, his friends, the entire school, god - everyone, because I have a big mouth and it's harsh. This Taurus mouth be harsh sometimes.

In all, this film reminded me of that moment where I went on a blind rage and hunted down one of the school's most notorious bullies. He didn't bother my friend again. 

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

Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare (2024)

October Challenge Day 23

What in the ....?! Let's take a look at:

Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare

Here we have the story of a woman who was catchfished for nearly 10 years. Now, while they had met in person, briefly, it wasn't until "Bobby" sent her a friend request that things began to spiral out of control. 

Such a web of lies was created, including more catfish profiles, that several people began to believe the lie. 

Things take a wild turn though, when "Bobby" is in a hospital and lost his voice, so he can't ever talk on the phone. Then he went into the witness protection program across seas, then he proposed with a photo of a ring, (and still so many more insane things) and yet still they never met or video chatted or talked on the phone. For years. 

Now, normally questions would start flying and eye rolling would be rolling VERY early in this situation. While her personal vulnerability and cultural elements played a role in prolonging this situation, the real monster here is:

Limerence. 

It's an addiction, a behavioral addiction and a very, very serious one that I hardly hear anyone talking about!!

We're all vulnerable to it, and likely may have experienced it at least once. It leads to doing maddening things - murder not excluded, for example. 

This is a difficult watch and yes, you'll get very frustrated with her, but that's because you're outside the experience and now just watching it with 20/20 hindsight. Easy to make judgements there. Also remember, she was in the throws of a massive, massive addiction.

In all, this is an alarming story in so many ways. Most alarming is the catfisher! And Why They Did It! Good f*cking heavens... some souls are just lost. 

I watched this film on Netflix, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you might find this very anxiety-ridden feature. 

Monsters (Television Show, 2022)

October Challenge Day 22

I went down a Menendez brother's rabbit hole with this show.

I hadn't really thought of these guys in a long time, actually. I didn't even pay that much attention to them at the time of the trials. Let's talk about the new series:

Monsters

I, like many others at the time, took one look at these two, privileged brothers and instantly got the ick. Of course they killed their parents. They're rotten, spoiled, sociopaths. 

Now, I was in a PARTICULARLY searing mood about them because at the time, my hometown was dealing with finally prosecuting the two young men (privileged, rotten, spoiled sociopaths) who raped and murdered a young mother from the Standing Rock reservation. They got away with it for 15 years - until the truth came out during a nasty divorce. 

I was in No Mood to hear about these brothers while I sitting next to the son of a murdered indigenous woman in my home room class. 

So all these years I just kind of dismissed these guys. I still do, actually. But I have to say this show is really well done and does an absolutely stellar job of making the viewer question who is the real monster and how many are there? 

I'm going to say there are a lot. The monsters here are in so many cracks and crevices of our society. So ingrained and systemic, and so much a part of our daily fabric that it's had to see the forest from the trees.  

This series is an excellent, although fictional, look into what happened with these terrible murders, what really happened, what maybe happened, and how so many things can be true and false at the same time. 

Yep. So these brothers murdered their parents. Why did they do it? Questionable, but that doesn't really matter to me at this point. 

I actually think they should be freed now, as I don't believe they are a danger to society and have paid a deal of time - they still seem rather arrogant though, so hope they keep that in check if they are released. 

All to say, I think they should be released. Hell, a rapist and murderer was released. He's dead now. 

I watched this series on Netflix, or use the Find It! Watch it! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can watch this engrossing show. 

Woman of the Hour (2023)

October Challenge Day 20

I was surprised to have never heard of this film before a few days ago! I did know who this film is based on, however. Let's talk about: 

Woman of the Hour

This is an excellent look into the feeling - particularly gut feeling - women have about dangerous people and how FRUSTRATING it is when we are not listened to. Worse still! How we just want to go about life and not be murdered for existing. That would be great. 

And yet, here we are still, with awful men doing awful things, hence why this film is still so applicable. 

Anna Kendrick stars and directs in this real life slasher about serial killer POS: Rodney Alcala and how one woman slipped through his web after she picked him in a televised dating game but *something wasn't right* so no date occurred. 

Her gut feeling saved her life. Literally. 

So I would call this a Girl's Girl horror film. I don't know how else to explain it. Is it all accurate? No. Does it need to be all accurate in this rendering? No. This film is allegories and examples. 

This story also shows just how easily monsters, which are everywhere and in various forms, slip into our world and wreck havoc. It's also a story of survival and just being tired of the patriarchy's bullshit.

Overall a solid film and a nice choice for a girl's night in. Best watched with friends who all share their dating horror stories. Pairs with IDAF cake, pajamas, and full glasses of champagne sitting on top of moving boxes. 

I watched this film on Netflix or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this depressingly accurate and well done feature.

Oddity (2024)

October Challenge Day 18

Oh hell yeah!!! This one is great! 

I had to watch it twice, though. Let's talk about:

Oddity

From the great minds who brought us, Caveat (which, to my complete surprise, I haven't yet reviewed and ALSO had to watch twice), we have a CHILLER of a ghost story. 

Here we have a mental institution psychologist and his wife who are renovating a converted farm house. One night, while she's alone, she's murdered in the home. 

Everything looks like the culprit is a deranged patient from the institution, but the woman's blind twin sister - who has psychometry skills - knows, after touching the suspect's glass eye, who murdered her sister. 

This is a creeping, crawling, slow burn that is captivating throughout the entire film. Do not be distracted like I was as I was researching the filming locations. You'll need to keep your eye on every detail of this paranormal thriller. 

There's something gross and tangible about this film but I can't put my finger on it. Pun sort of intended there. It engages nearly all the senses and forces you to look in the shadows. 

Side note, I went on a date about a month ago. Something came up where he asked if I like antique stores. I do, but then I added a *caveat*, that I can't be in them for very long. I get overwhelmed. 

He asked what I meant and I said (and I can't believe I said this out loud on a first date) that I see things. I see ghosts, spirits, etc. but that I also see things when I touch items and it gets overwhelming for me. 

This poor man looked at me like I was a little touched in the head. I just shrugged. Not much I can really do about this - I just let it happen when it happens and I do my best to ground and protect myself.

Welp. He said he had a great time and I'm a great person but he's leaving now lololololololo

In any case, overall - I just love this film. It will stick with me for a long time. 

Best watched alone or one other person. Pairs with a charcuterie board and a big glass of ice cold water. 

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 ghastly, ghoulish feature. 

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

October Challenge Day 16

You know what is one of the best things and can never be taken from me? The experience of taking my eldest nephew to see this film, for the first time, in the theater. 

Let's talk about the EVER classic:

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Happy to report my nephew enjoyed it - even though horror is not totally his thing. But he's young - I'll give it time.

This isn't really a review of the film itself as it is a review about the wonderful experience of seeing this film in a packed theater. Which was FANTASTIC!

I love theaters - I worked in one lifetimes ago but I still love going to see films in the theater. I'm a big supporter of independent film and independent theater, which is why I support the Seattle Independent Film Festival (SIFF), which now owns and operates several theaters in Seattle. 

SIFF was showing this film one night while my nephew was visiting from out-of-town so of course my brother and I knew what we needed to do as a stellar aunt and uncle. I was totally delighted to see the theater was filled with so many like-minded folks, where we all jumped at the same time and clapped at the credits. Even though I'm sure nearly everyone has seen this film several times before. Great bonding experience with strangers.  

Something I forgot about this film is the constant screaming for the last 30 minutes. It's .... a lot. So I went and grabbed another beer to just have a break for a minute. Still, this film is a master class in just general chaos and mayhem. 

The film is a right of passage and a must see for ANY horror fan. But if you're reading this, you already know that. 

In all, support independent theater and movies. Enjoy the experience with others.

I watched this film (again) at the Egyptian Theater in Seattle. Or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can experience this film with someone. 

MaXXXine (2024)

October Challenge Day 15

I was pretty excited to see this film - the third in the X series. I also wasn't expecting much aside from being entertained.

Let's talk about:

MaXXXine

I got what I asked for! 

Here we have the story of Maxine Minx making it big in Hollywood after surviving her Texas Chainsaw Massacre experience in the '70s. It's the '80's now, baby, and her work in the porn industry is rising her through the movie ranks. 

Unfortunately there is a serial killer loose in the city. AND someone stalking her, knows her dark history. 

While not as engaging as the earlier two films, this is still a fun one to watch. I appreciated the style and era references - the fine touches on this film are excellent. And as is the case for all these films, the desire and practical want or use of sex is the catalyst. And again with all these films, a woman is handling it all Just Fine. 

This is a casual horror film for casual watching. Best watched with friends who know EXACTLY how to handle you when you go out for a night. Pairs with very little food and maybe some coffee. 

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

Cabin in the Woods (Television Show, 2024)

October Challenge Day 12

I was hesitant about this true crime show at first - seemed like it might be a bit cheeky. Nope. 

Let's talk about:

Cabin in the Woods

Not to be confused with the cheeky Cabin in the Woods movie, this television show goes into the grisly details of people who have been murdered in: A cabin in the woods. 

I'm still not entirely sold on this title but this show does a good job of humanizing the victims of these terrible, terrible crimes. And they are wildly horrifying crimes!

Fellow true crime junkies will certainly enjoy this show, and probably will be shocked that these people's stories have never been heard before (at least I never heard of these crimes before). 

At the time of my writing this there have only been 5 episodes so far (so note that), and I'm looking forward to seeing more episodes. 

As with all true crime, these stories make me simultaneously sad and horrified. Why are people so awful? There's an extra shudder at the remoteness of these crimes. The fear, the isolation, the harm.

Rest in peace, victims, the families, and loved ones. I take these viewings seriously and take the caution and advice.

I watched this show on HBO Max, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this soul shuddering series.