Rabid (1977)

October Challenge: Day 28

Ah, you really can't go wrong with some David Cronenberg on a crisp Autumn afternoon (or evening, for that matter).

Since it's Saturday today, I enjoy taking care of projects around the home during the early afternoon. Often I turn on a horror movie to accompany me. Today's pick is Cronenberg's Rabid. And what a splendid pick it was.

I woman has a motorcycle accident, and in attempts to help her, an experimental plastic surgery clinic manages to turn her into a zombie. Things end badly for everyone.

This is a unique and startling zombie film, and I wouldn't expect anything less from this director. Things don't really get 'crazy' until much later in the film, so viewers (not familiar with this director's style) might either get bored or wonder when the zombie chaos will happen. Be patient my pretties.

With a startling amount of twists and turns, this one requires you pay close attention to at times and then go about your business at others, which is why I think it fit so well with the day.

Cold and calculating .... not unlike the motorcyclist ... this is a great film for a sunny Saturday afternoon, or a late night movie night. I highly recommend turning into a double feature night with Cronenberg's The Brood. 

Watch alone or in a small group, pair with popcorn and anything else that you can suck through a straw.

I watched this film on Showtime or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this ghoulish creature feature.

Watership Down (1978)

October Challenge: Day 26

I've decided to dedicate October 26th, my mother's birthday, to reviewing horror films for the kids. You know, films to raise your children on - like we did, and we all turned out fine. :)

I first saw Watership Down when I was around 8/9 years old, and, naturally, I was totally traumatized. As every child pretty much is after seeing this film.

Why in the world would I recommend a traumatizing horror film for the kids? Because it'll it put hair on their chest, that's why.

No, seriously, this is a fantastic film. I might just like it better than the book. *Might*. It's scary, it's heartwarming, it's fascinating, and it's an amazing story. 

Like the book, I think it's a good thing to 'humanize' animals - teach the children at a young age to relate to all creatures. To be kind, caring and gentle to vulnerable creatures in particular, and also to understand a little of how life works (life and death cycle). 

The animation in this film is striking, to say the least, and I think its style helps promote the mystery and frightening aspects of the story. What initially sounds like a simple story: rabbits on the run to safety, quickly turns into a highly dynamic tale of survival against all odds and the various creatures and situations they meet along the way. 

I love this movie. I love this movie SO MUCH. At times, as a child, I would even watch it daily. When the film comes up on conversation in a group, I often hear someone say: "Oh, that film scared me so much as a kid. I loved it - great film." And I totally agree. 

So, be sure to give your child the very unique and - dare I say, life-changing, Watership Down experience. It will stick with them for a lifetime, in a good way.

I own this film on VHS and guard it like a dragon does gold, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this fantastic creature feature.

Inside No. 9 (Television Show, 2014)

October Challenge: Day 25

At first glance I thought this was a movie. A drama, perhaps. And then I saw it was a television series, and then I saw that it was a comedy, then I realized it was actually a British horror/comedy/macabre series - and I was all like: what is this and why I have not heard of it until now!

What in the world is Inside No. 9?

This series would not have even made a blip on my horror radar had I not found it on my Shudder channel (with a 5 out of 5 skull rating, in fact). Also come to find out, all three series (currently) is also on Hulu. What IS THIS SHOW?

Also, what does Inside No. 9 even mean?????

Turns out it means that each episode is about little morbid tales surrounding homes with a Number 9 address. I find this both odd and interesting.

In any case, I'm thoroughly intrigued and I'm looking forward to checking this out. So far there are three seasons of six 30 minute episodes. A perfect cringe binge festival in the making - but I don't want to wait for the weekend so I'm going to try and stuff as much of this (seemingly wonderful) goodness into my face tonight as much as possible.

I am not familiar with the League of Gentlemen or Psychoville, but I feel if I find this show to be a hit then these other ventures will not stay long in my unfamiliar list.

See you after the show!

Update! Well this is a new kind of wonderful!!

I stayed up past my bedtime just so I could finish the first season because this is simply a masterful series.  At times you won't know if you should laugh or cringe, but I can guarantee you'll do both. Brilliantly crafted with scathing wit, devilish demises, spin you on your head twists - and all under the clever and artful practice of intertwining originality with somewhat classic tales - this is a super fun and wicked show.

A wicked little show that unravels in #9 homes. Be them mansions, apartments, or a suburban rambler, should you find yourself entering a place with a #9 address... beware.

Fantastic, absorbing acting. Sharp and smart with its use of confining your attention to small places and fine details, and with its simply superb writing and directing, you do not want to miss: Inside No. 9!!

I'm going to binge watch the next two seasons this weekend, and if they are anything like the first I'll be over-the-moon with laughs and gasps.

Watch alone or with a small group of friends that think they're coming over to watch something else. Pairs with wine, beer, whiskey and champagne. Have some cake, tomato soup, and perhaps some cold mashed potatoes sitting around. Hang a few sad balloons on a door frame.

I watched the first season on Shudder, and it looks like all three seasons are on Hulu or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this if Masterpiece Theater returned from the grave as a zombie show.

Jaws 2 (1978)

October Challenge: Day 25

It was difficult to pull my attention away from our new, itty, bitty, kitten - but by the time I did it was already getting late and I had no idea what film to watch for the evening.

My Husband suggested Jaws 2, and after a bunch of "hhhhhmmmms" and "mmmmmms", I figured: what the hell, why not Jaws 2.

I always approach sequels with a bit of trepidation, and also generally take them with a grain of salt. Then, every once and a while, they surprise me. This film surprised me.

I was expecting more disappointment then entertainment. Thankfully I experienced very little disappointment and a shocking amount of entertainment. Cheesy? Sure, at times, but it's also full of the nerve-wracking tension that helped to make it's predecessor such a wild success.

The music is back, the beach is back, the amount of unconcerned citizens are back, and of course - the shark has zero f**** to give about any of it. The last half hour is fairly high anxiety (not like the original, but a healthy does is still present).

Overall, this is an entertaining film for a last minute movie pick on a Tuesday night. Simple, straight forward, a little predicable and a little wild.

Pairs with picnic food, beach blankets, cans of beer, and gather a small group for a pretty fun water ride. 

I watched this film on Showtime or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this classic/not classic creature feature.  

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)

October Challenge: Day 23

I saw this movie for the first time a few weeks ago - and loved it! Also, you absolutely can't go wrong when Peter Cushing and and Christopher Lee are in the house, especially when there's a wild animal on the loose! Hurrah for The Hound of the Baskervilles!

Conduct a search for "Hound of the Baskervilles" on IMDB and you'll get about 40 results. Yeah, this story has been told again and again - and this is the first movie version I've ever seen. Maybe some day I'll spend a month where I just watch versions of this story.... or not, now that I think about it...

I read it in high school some 23 years ago, fell in love with it then - now very excited and very surprised to return to it  after so many years (why has it taken so long!). In any case I'm glad I've finally seen this version.

With the brilliant Peter Cushing as the brilliant Sherlock Holmes, and the wonderful Christopher Lee as the poor inheritor of the Baskerville curse, even if you know the story from top to bottom, it's well worth a viewing just for these two. 

Crafty ambiance, witty banter, superb creepy atmosphere, and a stellar cast this film is a must for a dark and rainy night. Would you expect anything less from Hammer studios? It's fun and frightening, and if there is anyone in your life who's a little hesitant on horror stories then introduce them to this one. 

I watched this film on TubiTV or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this delightful chiller.