October Challenge Day 10:
I did not have a chance to review a film for this day because life happened, wonderful happy life.
Started the day hanging with the family, wandering through beautiful trees - immersing myself in the sounds, colors, and crispness of Autumn.
Then went to visit the EMP Museum with friends, checking out the new Start Trek exhibit and of course, The Lure Of the Horror Film exhibit!
Following that was watching some football with friends, chatting on the porch and eating delicious pork sliders.
Made it home from there with 25 minutes to spare to catch the second political debate. My brother Matt stopped by with pizza and we all watched the madness with marinara sauce on our chins.
Afterwards I walked down the street to visit with some of my best ladies, huddled together on the living room floor, laughing and talking together over glasses of wine.
It was, in fact, one of those perfect days I'll always remember, and there was simply no time for a horror movie.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Quicksilver Highway (1997)
October Challenge Day 8:
I adulted so hard today I think I deserve an award - at least a gold star sticker.
Chores done, bills paid - all of it. Done. Before noon. Better yet, most was done in a car. We don't own a car but we had one today. I had to stop myself several times during grocery shopping from checking my phone for when the next bus was to arrive. Grocery shopping with a car changes the grocery shopping experience, entirely. I *Just* figured this out.
After stops to the grocery store, pet store, hardware store, outlet-ish store, we decided to make one last trip to Value Village (because why not - We have a Car!).
There Mike found a set of leopard print knives (not the handles .. the blades were leopard print), and a VHS copy of Quicksilver Highway. After no debate whatsoever about Not Buying the knives, we walked out with respectable kitchenware and this 99 cent video.
I have very vague memories of this film, and I think those memories only revolve around the first 10 minutes. Also, I seem to recall my Dad and brothers were more interested in watching it than I was...
I'm excited about seeing it now! I feel it's a perfect pick for a dark, rainy, Saturday night after adulting so well.
See you after the show!
**** several hours later ****
Okay, so I was wrong about remembering the first 10 minutes of the film. It was really only a few segments of the first tale (out of two) that I remembered. It was nice to piece those segments together after so many years though.
I was right, however, about it being a delightful pick for a dark, rainy, Saturday night. That said, by tale #2 I found myself not remotely paying attention to the film but rather browsing and taking part in political arguments on Facebook. I hate Donald Trump, by the way. The man makes me physically ill, literally.
As a late Saturday night film goes, it works. It's just not as entertaining as I thought it was going to be (99 cents well spent all the same). It is a great film to have on in the background and pay attention to every once an a while - after the first tale.
It's odd, it meanders, it has unusual moralist tales, and it's totally goofy. It's not great, but it has a charm that's hard to resist. I absolutely see this film as being a favorite in the bar - no sound - just playing in the background with everyone talking to and about it.
I spoke about how proud I was of my adulting today - this film is all about how people fail at adulting. Fun fact.
Watch this film if you're in the mood for cheeky horror, and watch with rowdy but lovable friends. Pairs with champagne, PBR, food found at a gas station, and expensive crackers.
I bought this still in pretty good condition VHS tape from Value Village for 99 cents! Use the links under Find It. Watch It. on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this odd and not entirely not delightful feature.
I adulted so hard today I think I deserve an award - at least a gold star sticker.
Chores done, bills paid - all of it. Done. Before noon. Better yet, most was done in a car. We don't own a car but we had one today. I had to stop myself several times during grocery shopping from checking my phone for when the next bus was to arrive. Grocery shopping with a car changes the grocery shopping experience, entirely. I *Just* figured this out.
After stops to the grocery store, pet store, hardware store, outlet-ish store, we decided to make one last trip to Value Village (because why not - We have a Car!).
There Mike found a set of leopard print knives (not the handles .. the blades were leopard print), and a VHS copy of Quicksilver Highway. After no debate whatsoever about Not Buying the knives, we walked out with respectable kitchenware and this 99 cent video.
I have very vague memories of this film, and I think those memories only revolve around the first 10 minutes. Also, I seem to recall my Dad and brothers were more interested in watching it than I was...
I'm excited about seeing it now! I feel it's a perfect pick for a dark, rainy, Saturday night after adulting so well.
See you after the show!
**** several hours later ****
Okay, so I was wrong about remembering the first 10 minutes of the film. It was really only a few segments of the first tale (out of two) that I remembered. It was nice to piece those segments together after so many years though.
I was right, however, about it being a delightful pick for a dark, rainy, Saturday night. That said, by tale #2 I found myself not remotely paying attention to the film but rather browsing and taking part in political arguments on Facebook. I hate Donald Trump, by the way. The man makes me physically ill, literally.
As a late Saturday night film goes, it works. It's just not as entertaining as I thought it was going to be (99 cents well spent all the same). It is a great film to have on in the background and pay attention to every once an a while - after the first tale.
It's odd, it meanders, it has unusual moralist tales, and it's totally goofy. It's not great, but it has a charm that's hard to resist. I absolutely see this film as being a favorite in the bar - no sound - just playing in the background with everyone talking to and about it.
I spoke about how proud I was of my adulting today - this film is all about how people fail at adulting. Fun fact.
Watch this film if you're in the mood for cheeky horror, and watch with rowdy but lovable friends. Pairs with champagne, PBR, food found at a gas station, and expensive crackers.
I bought this still in pretty good condition VHS tape from Value Village for 99 cents! Use the links under Find It. Watch It. on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this odd and not entirely not delightful feature.
Friday, October 7, 2016
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
October Challenge Day 7:
Heads up: I've eaten a lot of gnocchi today. There's a little place about a mile away that my Husband and I walk to once or twice every couple of months. They have a great happy hour but it's also a rather fancy Italian restaurant on the pulse of waterfront mansion town.
We actually kindasorta get dressed up for the place and pretend we're the eccentric famous artists just chilling with millionaire business owners. I'm kidding, we're not kindasorta doing that thing, that's actually who we are and what we do - just not famously. The first time we visited my Husband turned to me and said, "We don't belong here." And I said we totally did, eat this gnocchi, it's delicious.
Years later we still visit and we still feel rather out-of-place but the waitstaff all know us and we're welcome with open arms. Open arms and I still eat too much of their damned delicious gnocchi dish.
I mention this because I might just fall asleep before I get my final review of tonight's film posted. Nothing to do with the quality of the film at all but experience tells me that after a long work week, a full belly, and being tucked nicely into the recliner has *often* lead to bed time at around 8:30 PM on a Friday. To all those who find this idea horrifying, let me assure you it is also bliss.
I had intended on seeing 10 Cloverfield Lane in the theaters but then life happened and all of a sudden I no longer had that chance. There's a part of me that's sad I'm not experiencing this one on a huge screen for the first time.
Update **Several days later**
I've been struggling with how to review this film. It's CREEPY - extremely creepy! It's rather a hodgepodge of horror. We have kidnapping, dedicated (in a scary way) conspiracy theorist, obvious outside health threats - and all with no clear way out or resolution.
I'd call this a mighty fine nightmare for just about everyone.
Intense, nerve-wracking, and surprisingly fast-paced, a majority of this film is a horror show for the brains. The last half hour of the film is a different kind of horror show ... and I see that there are some reviewers who didn't like it.
I kinda liked it. Surprising, little odd, and it certainly kept me on the edge of my seat but I didn't find it all that satisfying. The entire film was great and then the last half hour happened and I was all like, "What? Eh gads! What? Wait. What?!"
This is certainly a *fun* horror movie if you're ready to cringe binge. Pairs best on a dark, lonely, night preferably alone. Dried or canned goods, water, and take a few nips off that flask hidden in the couch cushion.
I rented this movie from my local video store (Rain City Video). Use the links under Find It. Watch It. on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this dark, and very uncomfortable feature.
Heads up: I've eaten a lot of gnocchi today. There's a little place about a mile away that my Husband and I walk to once or twice every couple of months. They have a great happy hour but it's also a rather fancy Italian restaurant on the pulse of waterfront mansion town.
We actually kindasorta get dressed up for the place and pretend we're the eccentric famous artists just chilling with millionaire business owners. I'm kidding, we're not kindasorta doing that thing, that's actually who we are and what we do - just not famously. The first time we visited my Husband turned to me and said, "We don't belong here." And I said we totally did, eat this gnocchi, it's delicious.
Years later we still visit and we still feel rather out-of-place but the waitstaff all know us and we're welcome with open arms. Open arms and I still eat too much of their damned delicious gnocchi dish.
I mention this because I might just fall asleep before I get my final review of tonight's film posted. Nothing to do with the quality of the film at all but experience tells me that after a long work week, a full belly, and being tucked nicely into the recliner has *often* lead to bed time at around 8:30 PM on a Friday. To all those who find this idea horrifying, let me assure you it is also bliss.
I had intended on seeing 10 Cloverfield Lane in the theaters but then life happened and all of a sudden I no longer had that chance. There's a part of me that's sad I'm not experiencing this one on a huge screen for the first time.
I'm very excited for this film and that alone might keep me up! Either way, ladies and gentlemen, I'll see you after the show.
Update **Several days later**
I've been struggling with how to review this film. It's CREEPY - extremely creepy! It's rather a hodgepodge of horror. We have kidnapping, dedicated (in a scary way) conspiracy theorist, obvious outside health threats - and all with no clear way out or resolution.
I'd call this a mighty fine nightmare for just about everyone.
Intense, nerve-wracking, and surprisingly fast-paced, a majority of this film is a horror show for the brains. The last half hour of the film is a different kind of horror show ... and I see that there are some reviewers who didn't like it.
I kinda liked it. Surprising, little odd, and it certainly kept me on the edge of my seat but I didn't find it all that satisfying. The entire film was great and then the last half hour happened and I was all like, "What? Eh gads! What? Wait. What?!"
This is certainly a *fun* horror movie if you're ready to cringe binge. Pairs best on a dark, lonely, night preferably alone. Dried or canned goods, water, and take a few nips off that flask hidden in the couch cushion.
I rented this movie from my local video store (Rain City Video). Use the links under Find It. Watch It. on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this dark, and very uncomfortable feature.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Gravy (2015)
October Challenge Day 6:
Randomly plucked this one off the Horror shelves at my local video store. Not sure how I felt about the pick then, nor do I know how to feel about it now that I'm about to pop it into the DVD player.
Premise of Gravy: "A trio of costumed misfits with very special dietary requirements invades a Mexican cantina and forces the staff to engage in a late night of gluttony. The only caveat is what's on the menu ... and who will survive until morning!" (per the DVD synopsis).
It stars Sarah Silverman, so that's pretty interesting, but also note the bloody clown on the cover. Considering how we have a free-range creepy clown epidemic on our hands, and a movie titled Gravy - with questionable food being shoved in your face as the focus - it doesn't particularly pump me up but rather gives me visuals I never asked for. And I haven't had dinner yet.
I guess, actually, I'm feeling a little bit like this right now:
But I'm going to give it a try anyway as I feel this experience could either delight me to no end or leave me with an upset tummy. In all, I suspect this will be an odd and gory tale with some abstract moralistic aspect... this is just a guess. I have absolutely no idea what I'm getting into here... see you after the show!
*****Update!
Okay. Alright.... well. Pass the antacids.
I do believe this is the first horror movie I've ever seen that's managed to out-hipster itself. The cult cultural references stuffed me to the brim - to the point I was making what my Husband calls: "The sad last bite faces". When you've had too much to eat, but you keep eating anyway because those last two bites are not enough to save for leftovers and you kindawanna cry face. (Note: Being too full you're in pain is a blessing that should be a gaddam right for everyone. And to be perfectly blunt, I cry when the Meals On Wheels pamphlets come in the mail. We can talk more about this later - in the mean time please take care of your neighbors.) But getting back to the film and it's hipster gluttony: 35 minutes into the film and I was DONE.
Mike side-eyed me closely. I could see it from the tops of my large, dark glasses frames. Without saying a word we both understood each other: What in the hell is this? Really? Make it stop, please.
It's a funny horror film, I just never really laughed. It's slap-stick and gory, but I was never amused by it. The one person I truly enjoyed - saying all that I found most entertaining and smart about the film - Gabourey Sidibe, a bad ass powerhouse, who many may know from American Horror Story fame - literally had her voice taken from her, and that's when I threw the napkin on the table and walked out.
I didn't enjoy this film because it tried to be so cleverly over-the-top that it missed points entirely. It, again, outdid it's own hipster irony to the point it wasn't even fun, it was just annoying. Additionally, I had problems with the music. I liked it at the beginning but then it became too much. The independent radio station was on full blast through pretty much the entire film. I say this as a regular contributor to independent radio. It was too much, man, too much.
No, I did not enjoy this film but I see where it was trying to go. It was quirky, trying to be edgy, trying to be gory, trying to be sarcastic and ironic (all of which I was suspecting even before I put the DVD in the player) but in the end, for me, it lost all it's cool points.
I see a lot of movies like this during the year and never write a review (because I don't like writing negative reviews) but I hold a strange little bond with myself during October. Sorry guys, wanted to like it but couldn't. If you do choose to check the film out, watch with very drunk friends. Pairs with quesadillas and hard booze.
I rented this movie from my local video store (Rain City Video). Use the links under Find It. Watch It. on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this, um, maybe you should just check it out for yourself, feature.
Randomly plucked this one off the Horror shelves at my local video store. Not sure how I felt about the pick then, nor do I know how to feel about it now that I'm about to pop it into the DVD player.
Premise of Gravy: "A trio of costumed misfits with very special dietary requirements invades a Mexican cantina and forces the staff to engage in a late night of gluttony. The only caveat is what's on the menu ... and who will survive until morning!" (per the DVD synopsis).
It stars Sarah Silverman, so that's pretty interesting, but also note the bloody clown on the cover. Considering how we have a free-range creepy clown epidemic on our hands, and a movie titled Gravy - with questionable food being shoved in your face as the focus - it doesn't particularly pump me up but rather gives me visuals I never asked for. And I haven't had dinner yet.
I guess, actually, I'm feeling a little bit like this right now:
(...this fresco fiasco never gets old for me...)
But I'm going to give it a try anyway as I feel this experience could either delight me to no end or leave me with an upset tummy. In all, I suspect this will be an odd and gory tale with some abstract moralistic aspect... this is just a guess. I have absolutely no idea what I'm getting into here... see you after the show!
*****Update!
Okay. Alright.... well. Pass the antacids.
I do believe this is the first horror movie I've ever seen that's managed to out-hipster itself. The cult cultural references stuffed me to the brim - to the point I was making what my Husband calls: "The sad last bite faces". When you've had too much to eat, but you keep eating anyway because those last two bites are not enough to save for leftovers and you kindawanna cry face. (Note: Being too full you're in pain is a blessing that should be a gaddam right for everyone. And to be perfectly blunt, I cry when the Meals On Wheels pamphlets come in the mail. We can talk more about this later - in the mean time please take care of your neighbors.) But getting back to the film and it's hipster gluttony: 35 minutes into the film and I was DONE.
Mike side-eyed me closely. I could see it from the tops of my large, dark glasses frames. Without saying a word we both understood each other: What in the hell is this? Really? Make it stop, please.
It's a funny horror film, I just never really laughed. It's slap-stick and gory, but I was never amused by it. The one person I truly enjoyed - saying all that I found most entertaining and smart about the film - Gabourey Sidibe, a bad ass powerhouse, who many may know from American Horror Story fame - literally had her voice taken from her, and that's when I threw the napkin on the table and walked out.
I didn't enjoy this film because it tried to be so cleverly over-the-top that it missed points entirely. It, again, outdid it's own hipster irony to the point it wasn't even fun, it was just annoying. Additionally, I had problems with the music. I liked it at the beginning but then it became too much. The independent radio station was on full blast through pretty much the entire film. I say this as a regular contributor to independent radio. It was too much, man, too much.
No, I did not enjoy this film but I see where it was trying to go. It was quirky, trying to be edgy, trying to be gory, trying to be sarcastic and ironic (all of which I was suspecting even before I put the DVD in the player) but in the end, for me, it lost all it's cool points.
I see a lot of movies like this during the year and never write a review (because I don't like writing negative reviews) but I hold a strange little bond with myself during October. Sorry guys, wanted to like it but couldn't. If you do choose to check the film out, watch with very drunk friends. Pairs with quesadillas and hard booze.
I rented this movie from my local video store (Rain City Video). Use the links under Find It. Watch It. on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this, um, maybe you should just check it out for yourself, feature.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
The Girly Ghosthunters (Television Show, 2005)
October Challenge Day 5:
In lieu of a movie tonight, I've chosen to write about a television series I binged watched last week.
PS: their garden gnome has it's own IMDB page. How awesome and hilarious is that?
In lieu of a movie tonight, I've chosen to write about a television series I binged watched last week.
I've been itching to write about The Girly Ghosthunters show since I first saw it (a whole week ago) and was afraid I wouldn't get to it until November, and then I was all like: it's my blog I do what I want.
Simply put, this collection of 13, 20 minute episodes were transforming - and I'll tell you why.
First: I know you laughed when you read: "Girly Ghosthunters". I did too. Why? What the hell is wrong with the word "girly"? Wait, wait, wait - I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's back up a bit.
Last week I was browsing through streaming apps for paranormal documentaries and TV shows to fall in love with. It's been a dry spell. I'm so devoted to this stuff that I created a Paranormal TV and Documentary page just to keep track of all the ones I've seen, loved, and want to check out. That's when I found The Girly Ghosthunters showing on Amazon Prime. My first thought: WTF is this? Then hit Play anyway.
The first episode opens with four young ladies who appear to be stealing a garden gnome from someone's yard. My second thought: WTF is this? Introductions to each of the ladies came across to me as silly, odd, and dare I say cheap.
They began their first investigation and my thoughts became verbal: "WTF is this?!" Why the screaming? Why so giggly? Why so naive? Why so scared - you're voluntarily going into frightening places and -
Just as I was about to write this show off (at around episode 4) I was hit with an emotional ton of bricks and realized:
I'M AN ASSHOLE.
WTF is wrong with me? These ladies are not much younger than me and I remember my early giggly and naive 20s well, oddly, and wait - oh my word, they are ... having fun... Why didn't I see this before!? They're absolutely totally genuine in their love for exploration, thrill of the ghost hunt, and are all best friends in real life. There's no acting here, there are no gimmicks, no taunts, teasing, or drama. They're not out to prove to the world that there are ghosts (the impossible) - with tons of equipment and serious faces. They're in a beautiful sisterhood, going on adventures with their dousing rods and spirit board, just being with each other, and taking some of the world along with the aid of one camera following them around.
In an instant I realized that I wasn't about to give these ladies a chance because they weren't like the big budget (prominently all men) shows - they didn't play by their rules. That's when I fell madly in love with The Girly Ghosthunters and I realized that I've been played by a stereotype on so many levels.
I soon located a very recently and wonderfully written article about these gals, and discovered that not only are they awesome, they are also ground breaking. Greg Newkirk, writes for the Week In Weird: "Girly Ghosthunters: How the First All-Female Paranormal Investigation Team Made Ghost Hunting History". In this fantastic article I learn more about the team, their drives, and a better overall picture of them (as seen with new eyes through their TV show):
"We were just a bunch of typical girls who watched a lot of Buffy and wore out our VHS copy of the Craft," Dana recalls. "We were nerds who were too old for summer camp and too young to do anything else, so we started doing what lots of teenage girls do - we started playing with spirit boards, pendulums, and reading books about magick, but it was ghosts that really interested us."
I also read, to my own horror, a mirror of my initial reactions and how I feared they were treated in the paranormal community:
"People were so mean to us," Dana recalls, "There were a few psychics and paranormal researchers in the area who held events, and we were asked to do one, and got so excited. We made a big poster board, gathered up our best evidence - stuff we were really proud of. It was the only event we ever did because other investigators twice our age openly mocked us to our faces, said we were better suited for a girl band than ghost hunting, and called our evidence fake without even looking at it."...
"It takes a special kind of awful for a 30-year-old man to call a group of teenage girls 'attention whores' for no other reason than being young, female, and hunting ghosts. That actually happened. People are scarier than any supernatural monster."
This says a f***ing LOT about culture, stereotypes, sexism, and the belief that there are "rules" in paranormal investigations. Folks, I played a small part in this this assholery and I'm very sorry I did although I'm glad it was short lived. This says A LOT about how much has been ingrained in me. (that said, I feel the editing of this show played a significant role in "up playing" the young ladies as hapless, frightened women. I have an issue with the editing crew).
In all - these ladies are bad ass. I'm so glad I found them. I'm sad it was only 13 episodes but in those episodes my Mind Was Blown simply because I watched a bunch of women in their early 20's doing what I loved to do then: wander around and explore spooky buildings with some of my best friends. In fact, on the cusp of 40, I still love doing that exact same thing.
So back to the word, "Girly". Not a damn thing wrong with the word, "Girly". Oh, and to the (current) only commentator, leeleetoft, on IMDB who wrote:
"...Go out and have a drink and some potato skins and get back to us when you have more experience and can actually contribute something. Hopefully the venues you visit will not be put off and allow REAL investigators in to check things out."
BLOW ME.
I watched this series on Amazon Prime. Use the links under Find It. Watch It. on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this simply delightful show.
PS: their garden gnome has it's own IMDB page. How awesome and hilarious is that?
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