XX (2017)

October Challenge: Day 6

The day didn't turn out quite as planned, and that's okay. It actually all turned out for the best. I like those days - especially when it ends with the first Autumn-feeling night really beginning to creep in, chilling the bones and shaking the trees.

Our kitchen drawer fell apart, oddly, and as my Husband and I were banging new nails in and going back and forth about the right way to hold the boards together, the wind-chimes began to bellow, we could hear the trees swaying, and a breeze blew into the home through our open patio door that reminded us to chill and - well - it's getting chilly.

It was about this time that I suggested tonight's movie pick: XX.

A horror anthology film, directed by women and seen through a woman's perspective. I'm all on board. Mike tells me some of the reviews sound very belittling, which upset him to the point that now he wants to watch out it of spite of some of the reviewers. We'll just have to see for ourselves!

We're starting this film late because of change in plans, a broken drawer, and taking some time to appreciate the this blustery evening. 

See you after the show!

***

Well, I certainly enjoyed this film! Four delectable shorts involving woman and their everyday conflicts as a parent, partner, sibling, and friend when evil arrives in town.

I enjoyed these films. I found them engaging, creative, and incredibly disturbing. Moreover, I thought the concepts were brilliantly portrayed as horror stories for a horror movie versus the horror stories of real life (death of a child, death of a spouse, death of sibling, and the death of a child's love). 

These shorts kept me on the edge of my seat in anticipation, and I truly appreciated how much each little film kept me guessing. Although there were moments that seemed out of place or a little confusing, in all, these are some fun horror stories.  

I have not read other's reviews and I have no intention to read them. I thought this was a well done collaboration of innovative minds and I look forward to seeing more. 

Watch alone, late, on a cold and blustery night. Pairs with red wine and cake. 

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 these tasty little morsels of cinema. 

Nothing But Trouble (1991)

October Challenge: Day 5

My Husband has brought this film up from time to time over the years. Usually using such words to describe it as: Chevy Chase and John Candy - and they're in this town with a crazy judge - and then Tupac Shakur shows up ...

And my usual response over the years is: "What? What are are you telling me? What is this movie?"

For years he also couldn't remember the title of the movie. Until we figured out internet movie sleuthing .. and not being lazy.

The film is: Nothing But Trouble.

I've been fascinated by this film since he first brought it up (mostly because of its elusiveness in our home...), but also because it is, according to rumor, scandalously terrible (in box office numbers) despite it's star-studded cast.

You have my attention...

It was the only film directed by Dan Akroyd, and is apparently so surreal it's not one you'll soon forget (except the the title). 

I Am Looking Forward To Seeing This Film!

I have some hotdogs on the grill, chips and salad on standby, and a cozy couch calling my name. I'm looking forward to seeing this story unfold about socialites trapped in a small town by crazy people (I'm told...) - so stay tuned for more!

See you after the show!

Oh lordy, where do I begin... First and foremost, this isn't a terrible film - it's just misunderstood.

It's an insane ride through a very odd village where logic and reason fly right out the window and you're laughing about it all but don't totally understand why. 

The movie appears 'normal' at first, for about 15 minutes, and then things spin wildly out of control. Think of this film not so much as a campy comedy but more of the type of surreal dreams you have after a night of heavy drinking and you're incredibly dehydrated. 

There's Dan Aykroyd - dressed to kill as a very old man who has a penis for a nose. Then Chevy Chase as the hapless city slicker, accompanied by Demi Moore as the worst lawyer ever. John Candy joins the picture as an extremely devoted cop/grandson/granddaughter/rubber monster thing - and frankly, *that's where things really get weird*. 

This movie is so weird that when Tupac, Humpty and the rest of the Digital Underground show up to sing and dance their way out of a minor traffic violation, you're pretty much resolved to appreciate this film for what it is: A Very Strange and Surreal Film About Nothing And Everything At The Same Time.

There is social commentary spattered throughout the film. Why it's portrayed in this way I don't totally understand, but it is interesting and could prompt several discussions. There is also so many WTFs moments spattered throughout the film that you'll run out of all the WTFs to give.

In short, this is an entertaining film, just not a typical - or rather, expectant - entertaining film. Just toss all your logic and reason out the window, sit back, and watch the penis nose man do his thing.

Best in a group, I really don't advise watching this one alone. Even better, watch in a group of unsuspecting viewers. Pairs with warm Hawaiian Punch in a can, heaping plates of Ants On A Log, and weird looking soups. 

I watched this film on HBO Now, or use the Find It. Watch It. links on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this completely wacky feature. 

Cooties (2014)

October Challenge: Day 4

I've been wanting to see Cooties since 2014. Why Has It Taken Me So Long!?

Too many movies. So little time. Even for a school yard full of zombie children.

Speaking of so little time - it took us (non-horror fan husband and I) to agree on a film tonight, so I suspect the rest of my review won't show up until tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more...

Update Update!

Well that was super fun! Don't ask too many questions though, and this film will tell you no lies. There were points where I tilted my head and said, "Whaaaaaa..." but I'm sure that was entirely on purpose since this film appears to have a healthy appreciation for how to make fun of itself.

More of a smart screamer than a wisecracking moaner, this movie is quick to the startling cringe binge - starting with the opening credits. One of the most gruesome opening credits I've ever seen, actually. Then on to normality for a moment as a substitute teacher starts his first day of teaching a wayward class of 4th graders for the summer.

Thing escalate quickly, very very quickly, as the wacky, ragtag team of teachers have to beat the living crap out of these kids in-order to survive. There's a part of me that thinks teachers may have been involved in the writing of this screenplay... this film employees some very dark comedy.

Fast, entertaining, witty and surprisingly gory, I highly recommend this one for a fun movie night with friends - or in my case - a (non-horror-movie-fan) spouse who was laughing out loud throughout the entire film. I dare say he may have liked it even more than I did, and I really liked it!

Pairs with chicken nuggets. Lots and lots of chicken nuggets (and chocolate milk).

I watched this film on Shudder or use the Find It. Watch It. links on Horror Habit's sidebar to locate where else you can find this gag-inducing side-tickler.

The Birds (1963)

October Challenge: Day 3

Spent too much time today wondering why crazy things happen - only to be left with many reasons why I might never know.

It was a cold day today, a cold day in so many forms. So I needed something cozy and comfortable to cuddle with, and yet also something that reflected a bit of how I was feeling while also providing me with no reasonable answers for anything.

The Birds was the first thing that came to mind.

I first saw this when I was about 10 years old and it left a scar. A scar on my weird, weird heart that I've come to love and appreciate. I've only seen it once or twice over the last near 30 years but tonight just felt right to relive this unique nightmare experience, if only to escape from the real nightmares for a little while.

See you after the show!

Ah yes, pretty much as I remembered. Everything is totally normal throughout much of the film - funny and sweet (dated...) even, sometimes - and then wham! Suddenly you're transported to a completely unsettling and gruesome world were madness is welcomed and chaos flourishes.

I love Alfred Hitchcock's horror, that wonderful, masterful storyteller and nightmare-monger. I love author Daphne Du Maurier, that masterful, wonderful storyteller and expert fear-inducer. Although, Du Maurier's short novel, The Birds, is not remotely the same as the film (side from farms being attacked by birds) I wholeheartedly love the art that is created when these two minds come together.

Spent a lot of time after the show trying to figure out what type of review I could possibly give a classic that really effected me as a child and sits in a category all its own. I spent so much time even that I went to bed with out typing much of a word. Safe to say this film still leaves me speechless.

Nearly 30 years later and I am still amazed by its genius. Hell, the effects alone! ...all those birds.... [shudder] .... it's a quality horror film that I hope continues to amaze audiences for generations to come.

This film is perfect for a cold, dark night, curled up under a blanket, with popcorn and snacks - surrounded by a friend or two. Prepared to be wined and dined by the beautiful scenery, engaging actors, compelling and sweet story line. You can try to brace yourself for when that first seagull attacks, but I can guarantee you'll not be prepared for the next one.

I picked up a VHS copy of this film at the local Value Village. Not even a slightly beat-up tape version of this movie made it less frightening.... OR you can use the Find It. Watch It. links in Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this stellar feature.

Child's Play (1972)

October Challenge: Day 2

I'm a fan of Robert Marasco's novel, Burnt Offerings, and I'm also a fan of the movie. So when I saw that he also wrote a play (that was nominated for Broadway's 1970 Best Play Tony Award) - a play that became a movie - I was pretty certain I didn't want to miss seeing: Child's Play.

Kicking off this year's October horror movie challenge, I chose a story about a boy's Catholic preparatory school that may or may not be inhabited by the Devil. 

Don't pay attention to the poster image or the tag line, they are both cheeky and hardly represent what this film is about. Also, I realize it might take a moment to not picture Chucky when reading the movie title. 1988 Child's Play and 1972 Child's Play come from two totally different worlds, although they both involve unfortunate children.

First and foremost this is a troubling film. I knew before I even began watching the movie that it was inspired by actual events, and then after viewing, I was left with more questions than I had in the beginning. 

Ominous and dreamy, the viewer is taken to the first day of a new teacher's post among some privileged youth. Things go badly immediately, however, when it's made obvious that the young men are prone to sudden and very, very violent bursts of anger. Matters are made even more worse when a longstanding teacher begins to display signs of madness. 

Religion plays a significant role in this film, naturally, but so does intuition and logic.That, perhaps may be one of the most unsettling aspects of this film, in that you want so badly to understand what is happening (and why) but are left being dependent upon the mysteries of the heart, mind, and soul. 

The editing at times is a little odd, confusing, but the atmosphere makes up for it all. The teachers are powerful and threatening, the students completely frightening. Without it ever being said, or shown, it's obvious that things are not right at this school and that something really terrible is about to happen.

This is a perfect film for a dark, cold, stormy night alone. Pairs with cafeteria food, expensive whiskey, and dark clothes in a dark room. If you have a little red light somewhere, turn it on.

I watched this film on Crackle, or use the Find It. Watch It. links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can watch this creeping, crawling thriller.