Shrooms (2007)

October Challenge: Day 11

I've seen this movie float around for years and I've never been interested in seeing it. It just sounded too ridiculous to be taken seriously/be frightened by.

But 'tis the season to try to new things and so, away I went, down the weird and winding road of Shrooms.

I've never tried hallucinogenic mushrooms before, so I had to repeatably turn to my Husband (who has, let's say, experienced more of the world than I have), and ask: "Is that possible? Is that what they look like? Is that experience even remotely true?"

He said the only thing done right in this film about a mushroom trip is that some hallucinogenic mushrooms do look like the ones depicted in the movie. 

If you're looking for a cheesy slasher with a fairly predicable ending that also manages to be somewhat entertaining in its attempt to be original, then this would be a good pick. I also enjoy these types of films. But Shrooms just bugged the crap out of me. 

First, why would a bunch of early 20-somethings travel from the U.S. to Ireland for the sole purpose of eating mushrooms?! Who does that? Rich, privileged Catholic school teens, apparently.  Also, why would this group make that trip if they didn't really like each other in the first place? And who leads people to trip on mushrooms for the first time to an area with a dark and creepy building with a horrid past? Who would do that?!

Of all the mind-altering substances, why where mushrooms used to depict a tragic, frightening, and deathly experience? This film would have been far more believable, frightening, and apt in it's attempt to scare people away from drugs if it revolved around - oh, I don't know, let's see here:

METH

HEROIN

BATHSALTS

INHALANTS

COCAINE

OPIOID ABUSE

just to name a few...

I struggled with the point of this movie. What was it? It really looked like everyone involved in the making of this film had never taken mushrooms before and were trying to make a point to scare viewers away from this fungus. 

If that's the case ... Okay. But. There are actual drugs out there that are in fact actively destroying lives, cause insane and murderous behavior, kill people, are a living nightmare for loved ones and the users. Mushrooms are not it.

Perhaps I took this film too seriously. Perhaps I just didn't like it. Either way, I'm not advocating for drug use (although if you're at the age where your frontal lobe has fully developed and certain drugs are legal in your area....), but there are actual monsters in drug form out there and I thought it was simply ridiculous that mushrooms were used here (to convey a message?).

If you want to see a truly, truly frightening film about the very real perils of drug use then watch Requiem for a Dream. Seriously, it is one absolutely terrifying movie. Absolutely terrifying. 

Watch Shrooms in a group, for support. Pairs with cream of mushroom soup and some cans of your cheapest local brews.

Folks, stay away from meth, heroin, bathsalts, inhalants, cocaine and opioid abuse. 

I'm fucking serious. 

I watched this film on Shudder or use the Find It. Watch It. links on Horror Habit's side bar to local where else you can find this meh movie. 

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978)

October Challenge: Day 10

My day started off hilariously clumsy, awkward, ridiculous and weird. Tag on walking around with my zipper down through an indeterminate amount of time this afternoon, and well, let's just take this all the way home, shall we? Let's end the day hilariously clumsy, awkward, ridiculous and weird!

Tonight I'll be watching: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! Because, why not.

I've never really seen this film all the way through - bits and pieces here and there. I think it was playing in the background at some point in my life, but in short I've never given it my full attention.

That's all changing today!  See you after the show!

Oh my goodness. 

This movie straight up walked out of a gag store. I doubt there will be another film topping off the 'cheese' factor this October Challenge - or ... ever???

Stuffed with groans, eye rolls, totally inappropriate behavior, absurdity - not to mention that the tomato attacks are, hands down, absolutely hilarious - this was a perfect film to end a day that I spent a majority of time embarrassing myself. 

Pairs with a strong desire to lose yourself in grade school, albeit sometimes very clever, humor. Tomato dishes. I was actually stuffing my face with a Caprese salad while I was watching this movie. I didn't realize how funny that was until after I fished the dish. 

Watch in a small group or alone. 

I watched this film on Amazon Prime or use the Find It. Watch It. links on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this extremely dry, salty, and very funny film. 

Unnatural (2016)

October Challenge: Day 9

Had a wonderful day of balancing the accomplishments of completing chores and wholeheartedly relaxing. I was so absorbed (in both activities) that I was surprised when the evening rolled up and reminded me that I had not yet seen today's film

Scrambling, I took a shot in the dark at this fairly unknown feature: Unnatural.

I liked the poster.

I liked it so much that I thought the film might be a good choice for this busy, peaceful, chilly Sunday. I was not wrong!

Creature features are a delight to me, and when that creature comes in the form of a scientifically modified polar bear, I'm all ears.

Here we have a moralistic tale on the arguments about science, global warming, everyday jerks, and the gruesome ends to be expected when they are all played out in remote Alaska. The suspension of disbelief skills are called upon in heavy force here, however. Just run with it, best you can, and you'll find the show rather entertaining.

What's not entertaining, however, was that I managed to choose a film that was heavy-handed in insults to the indigenous people - on Indigenous Peoples' Day, of all days. These insults are hurled primarily by one awful character who sees a rather explosive death (hilariously, and to no one's surprise).

This is a good film for a late night/couple night - curled up on the couch, and at the end of the film someone stand ups, doesn't say much about the film but instead says, "It's late, I'm going to bed" and the other one says, "Okay, I'll join you in bed shortly."

The ending of this film is pretty awesome, sad, and somewhat expected. The creature in this film is pretty fantastic though. I particularly loved this creature - the effects, style, and idea alone. In fact,  I found it rather scary. A gory, original, creature. Well done there.

Pairs with popcorn, PJs, and curled up on the couch - mentally getting ready for the next day.

I watched this film on Showtime, or us the Find It. Watch It. links on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this smirker of a creature feature.

Predator (1987)

October Challenge: Day 8

Not an October Challenge goes by without my admitting to *just now seeing* at least one absolute horror classic.

Right now: Predator is it.

I have seen bits and pieces, and I've heard my brothers recite so many quotes over the years to think I know enough about the film that I could bluff my way through any conversation about it, but.... if I want to be honest with myself - I've never actually *seen* the movie.

This film starting be seen and appreciated in our home around the time that I was being terrified of the Goonies opening credits (my love of horror films is a long and complicated one). My four brothers loved it right away - I, obviously, needed some time. Like, 30 years.

But, I after watching a couple of football games today, having some brewskies, talking shop with a couple of dudes across the bar about game stats and statistics, I'm feeling right and ready for this film!

See you after the show!

Update:

Oh my goodness. I can understand why my brothers like to quote this film so much, it's just so ... quotable...

I made it exactly halfway through this film and simply couldn't take it anymore. Is it right or wrong that I spent the first half of the film laughing out loud? I just found it so side-splitting funny - surprisingly so.

I am absolutely going to give this film another try, likely later today or this evening. I think I wanted to be in a serious movie-watching mode but this classic was not the right fit for the mood.  Instead I turned on Pumpkinhead (that review to come later) and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening without the laughs.

Stay tuned for more...

Update update!

I really should have watched this film with my brothers. Instead, I spent the first half watching it alone and laughing my face off.

Then I re-watched it entirely with my Husband and we both laughed till our faces almost feel off and we just really, really enjoyed ourselves. B movie all the way, but also not quite. Bangs, booms, blasts, loudmouths, smart-mouths, cheesy, cheeky, and original. Predator, you certainly have it all.

Best watched in a group of your best buds. Paris with cans of beer, fart jokes, some fancy new gadget you just got from Amazon. Prepare for a very entertaining time.

I rented this film from Amazon or use the Find It. Watch It. links on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can watch this wild feature.

The House of Seven Corpses (1974)

October Challenge: Day 7

Woke up to a bright and crisp day today, so I made some breakfast, coffee and started working on a puzzle under the lovely Saturday morning light.

Damn fine way to start a day!

I have wine tasting and dinner plans later, so while taking a short break from sorting puzzle pieces, I did a little searching for what horror movie to watch under such pleasent circumstances.

That's when I found: The House of Seven Corpses. Winner winner, chicken dinner.

I think I've seen this film around town a couple times - looks a little campy, perhaps classically cheesy, but it also looked like it would pair well with my puzzle time...

Indeed it did!

Here we have a movie that is being filmed about occult murders - in a mansion that has already seen: Occult Murders!

This wasn't going to end well for anyone, especially when the Tibetan Book of the Dead was discovered.

Oh this was a delightful pick for the day. Yes, although campy and classically cheesy, it was also rather original. Dated and groan-worthy at times (hello ladies, you'll find nothing new here), this was still a good fit for something I paid attention to 75% of the time.

Odd, simple, entertaining and reliable, this is a good horror show for a peaceful Saturday morning while working on a puzzle, or a fun beer and pizza night with the crew. Pairs with comfort food, coffee, booze, and pajamas.

I watched this film on Amazon Prime or use the Find It. Watch It. links on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this vintage film.