Kindred (2020)

October Challenge Day 16

Folks, this film disturbed me so much that I started watching Rick and Morty *immediately* after watching this film just to cleanse the palate and go to a funny f*cked up place. Let's take a closer look at:

Kindred

Oh gawd this film gave me such anxiety!!!

Here we have a couple, in love, and temporarily visiting the boyfriend's family estate, when suddenly she learns she's pregnant and he dies. Chaos ensues. 

This is a suffocating film. Suffocating! This pregnant woman is universally attacked with mental and emotional abuse by her boyfriend's family and then, still worse, they gaslight her the entire time. 

This movie poster - that was also my face during most of the movie. 

At every turn things just get worse for this woman, and I'm sitting there screaming for her the whole damn time. I started feeling stabby, folks! Stabby!

Brooding country estate, murderous dedication to family, lack of access to the outside world, ominous signs - I'm breaking into a cold sweat already!

It's difficult to share much more than this, as the process of walking in blind to this one is also part of the horror. 

Best watched alone, on a cool, crisp, grey day. Pairs with tea and a light lunch, that you will suddenly launch at gaslighters later. 

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

Lamb (2021)

October Challenge Day 15

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Where do I begin with:

Lamb

My brother, his girlfriend, and I took a trip to the movie theater to check out this chiller. We discussed the film for over an hour over beers afterwards and I'm going to be the first to tell you: this is a good idea. You need some space to talk about this bonkers tale. 

Here we have super rural Icelandic farmers and shepherds, living their humdrum and mourning (after the loss of their child) life until one day, one of there ewes gives birth to a .... a creature. 

And here is where you need to check your brain into a surreal and disbelief world, and just let the fairytale unfold. Nevermind the very terrifying the giant monster stalking the stark landscape!

So we're in Iceland, which is portrayed with such horror and isolation, you'll actually want one their sweaters halfway through the film to ward off the bone chill. You might want to add a blanket to just to ward off the dismal sadness that will crawl into your skin.

Some will not understand what in the world is going in this super slow burner - some might be a little traumatized. I'm pretty sure all will have a moment when the "WTF" stare will be glued to the screen. 

In all, this is a rough film and incorporates a great deal of the mind-fuckery that is grief. Bonus, very, very, very detailed sheep rearing experience. In fact, I couldn't believe how well these (now very scary to me) creatures "acted" in this film. 

I truly enjoyed this film, so much so that I'm not sure I need to see it again/experience those emotional reactions again. 

Best watched in sweaters, in silence, next to a fire, with just a few of your friends or family. Pairs with eggs and potatoes, wine, beer, and/or whiskey, or ..... LAMB.

I watched this film in the theater and I highly recommend this experience - you can almost *smell* the farm from the big screen. Or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this truly creepy feature. 

Ghostbusters (2016)

October Challenge Day 14: 

I was hanging out at home, when my brother - who lives up the street - called me to say "Have you seen the boat that's on fire!?!"

Living near the water I ran out onto my deck to check it out, only to find my brother standing on the street. No boat was on fire. A moment of silence and he said, "I can't believe it took a boat on fire to get you out of the apartment."

Another moment of silence, staring at each other, before we busted out in laughter. 

He asked what I was doing and I said, "Watching Ghostbusters. The new one." 

The anticipated stare down commenced - as we are wildly different in our love for this particular:

Ghostbusters

I've lost count of how many times I've watched this film. I LOVE IT. 

My brother hated it and I don't see the arguments ending anytime soon. 

Part of why I love it so much is the dialogue. Folks, ghosts or not, the back and forth here - and the reactions to them - is any given night at our local pub (or random adventure) with some of my best friends. At Any Given Night/Day. 

I forget the evening but I certainly had chip remnants on my chest, watching this film, completely out of f*cks, when I realized *I* am also everyone of these fine ladies. 

• Erin (Kristen Wigg): Who I *think* I am - the professional, working in science, focused on a serious future. I pull it off on TV but deep down, I have chip remnants on my chest...
• Jillian (Kate McKinnon): 100% who I am when I get a few drinks in me. Complete with hair styles (when friends start to style it), dance moves, and scientific theories. 
• Patty (Leslie Jones):  Ever the historian, people will remark on that nice park and I will add: "That's the city's first cemetery. Pretty sure they moved all the bodies." I'm a proud lover of fun and necessary historical facts. Also, as a public transit rider for 20+ years - I Have Stories and got some grit. 
• Abby (Melissa McCarthy): It always comes back to Abby. I am her, all the way. Complete with getting a little mad about soups. 

I love absolutely love this movie. Love it. I laugh out loud every time and I smile because I know these women. I mean, I don't *know* *these* women, but I know their counterparts. And I love them. 

My brother doesn't get the humor of this film, and there I am laughing my ass off. I'm loving every joke and every tribute to the original. 

Two men recently told me that some men don't like funny women. I was shocked, and then made a joke about it. But this rattles around in my head as I remember the reception of this film.  This is a very sharp, smart funny film, full of funny women...

I give my brother a super hard time all time time and he finds my jokes painful. So it seems the fight continues but I will not stop being funny AF (I'm a lot funnier in person). 

To you weird men who don't like funny women, know I am laughing. At you.

I love this film. Best watched with your best ladies. Pairs with wanton soup. If someone randomly says "You'll die in there" bonus points.

I own this movie, or use the Find It! Watch It! or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this Horror Habit favorite. 

Demon Seed (1977)

October Challenge Day 13

Ah yes, this film asks the big questions that have plagued humanity since the beginning:

What would happen if an incel douche canoe was turned into a smart home device? Let's take a dive into:

Demon Seed

My, my, my - this one suprised me. And disgusted me. And was weird. 

Here we have a scientist building a super computer, and lives in the world's first smart house. Complete with a "camera doorbell", an "Alexa" that answers questions, plays music on command AND make drinks, along with a slew of other "smart" things that make life at home a tech marvel. 

Husband and wife are seperating though, and he is leaving the house to her despite her reservations. 

She was right to be cautious, as the house and all it's devices have been taken over by the super computer, and it wants her to have it's child...

This this an alarmingly claustrophobic film, and I found myself irate at the machine's "logic". 

This gaslighting, narcissistic, abusive, and irrational thing had my blood boiling. So, the movie is effective in getting my heart racing! 

Disturbing - despite the totally outrageous plot - this film is legit disturbing. Also, while you'll have a good chuckle at the dated technology, it's also pretty impressive the level of similarities with what is available now. 

You will probably laugh at the psychedelic imagery, intended to give a "tech" experience.  I did, but it comes with the edgy 1970's territory.  

In all, this film is upsetting. Particularly by the end. 

Best watched alone, with all your smart devices listening. Pairs with tea and an Extremely healthy breakfast.  

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

Creepy (2016)

October Challenge Day 12

It was a cold, dark, and blustery night - which made for a perfect time to watch something:

Creepy

This title is not lying - not at all. It's pretty damn creepy!

Here we have an ex-detective who was nearly killed by a psychopath, relocate and start a new life with this wife and dog in a new neighborhood. They're friendly folk and go around the neighborhood introducing themselves to their new neighbors.

Everyone is weird and not friendly, except for one man who is acting a bit ... creepy.

It took me a while to really get into this film. I was trying to wrap my head around where the story could possibly be going and then BAM - I was suddenly packed up and shipped off to Destination Facked. 

The movie quickly takes a turn from being creepy and drags you into a Japanese horror landscape that seems just Japanese horror can do. I will never look at vacuum storage bags the same again...

While creepy and deranged, it's also a creeper of a film that will require your full attention to all the small details. I'm sure on a second viewing I'll be seeing a lot more that was originally missed. You'll also need to pay close attention because the plot wanders around in strange directions sometimes.

That's about all I want to share regarding this film, the devil is in the details and probably best appreciated walking in blind. 

Best watched alone, on a cold, dark, and blustery night. Pairs with hearty homemade soups, and chocolates (best if they are also homemade). 

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