Freakshow (1995)

October Challenge Day 9

Oh my goodness. I had a ton of fun with this one!! Lolololololo. It was just too much. Let's take a look at the hilarity that is:

Freakshow

Not expecting much at all, I had popped this movie in and walked out of the room for sec, just letting it play - and that's when I overheard someone say from the TV: "I am the Freak Master!!" and I booked it back out into the living room as fast as I could to see who would shout such a wildly entertaining statement. 

Well, it was none other than Gunnar Hansen (aka Leatherface). OH WHAT DELIGHT!

Here we have the classic tale of a couple of teenagers getting a little life lesson in the form of an anthology from the spooky Freak Master! 

FREAK MASTER!

We have a little mummy action, a little werewolf mania, some witchy bizness - you name it. This movie is not good but it's so damn wildly entertaining! I watched it twice! TWICE! It's just a perfect afternoon film to to have on in the background while do you do chores. Or, if you're like me, watch it later at night when you're paying more attention and just laughing your butt off, waiting for a pizza delivery.

Wild, wildly amusing movie! Hahahaha! I will recommend it, every time.

Best watched in your favorite mid '90s attire. Pairs with just about everything! Bonus if you bust out the jellied preserves. 

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this remarkable(ly silly) film.

Relic (2020)

October Challenge Day 8

I was scrolling through Shudder on Sunday morning, trying to figure what I was going to watch after having brunch with my friend. I came across this film, and I instantly texted her: "Hey! Want to come back to my place after brunch and watch a horror film at my place?" I just felt this film was a film that needed to be watched with a bestie. 

Let's check out:

Relic

I don't think this V.C. Andrews looking poster image was by accident. In fact, it was this poster image that made me think this movie was going to dive deep into family secrets and unlocking some witchy sh*t. 

I was WRONG

No, no, what did I discover? It has a whole lot more to do with generational trauma and dementia. Who did I ask to join me in this viewing adventure? A daughter of a refugee who's mother is currently in a home for dementia. 

JFC

Needless to say there was a lot of crying happening in my living room Sunday morning. 

This film hits HARD and 100% not for all horror viewers. I would even stress that this film is probably for very few people. Here we have the story of an older mother who has a tendency to wander off and get confused. Daughter and granddaughter arrive to help take care of her. Whoops. There's a demon or two also in the house. 

Or is there....?

As most top notch horror stories go, there is a lot being said without it being said, or said in the form of a monster we are all afraid to look at in ourselves. That's very much the case here, and the very desperate attempt to protect the next generation from the horrors of the generations before them.  

While I apologized profusely for accidentally showing a horror film that reflects too close to home, we still had a bonding and release that I think this film was also trying to display. Again, and I can't stress this enough, this is not a film for everyone. I like films being appreciated for their specific message and this one is going to be rough to do in the wrong setting or wrong company. An easily misunderstood film.

 

This is a sad, traumatic, dark, gross, and totally uncomfortable film. It will likely leave you with more questions than answers - which is especially not to everyone's taste. 

In all this is a bit of a fever dream - conjured through the distraught and muffled screams of our ancestors. 

I watched this film on Shudder, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this soul destroyer of a film. 

The Tomb of Ligeia (1964)

October Challenge Day 7

Everyone should experience once - at minimum - waking on up on a Saturday morning, where the light is bright, the air crisp, the trees illuminated by color, and Vincent Price is menacingly talking to you from the TV. 

Such complete delight!

Let's take a look at:

The Tomb of Ligeia

Here we have an Edger Allen Poe story, retold at Roger Corman's direction, and staring Vincent Price - and frankly that's just perfection for me. [chef's kiss!]

A brooding and mysterious man falls in love with a bright and bubbly woman. They marry and return to his crumbling estate. Uh oh. His first wife's body lies in the nearby tomb and, ope, this husband can't stop thinking about her and begins to demonstrate horrible control over his new wife. Gurrrl, run! Vincent Price is scary!

I don't think I've ever encountered a Corman or Price film I didn't like. It's like someone saying, "do you like cheese?" as you are shoveling shredded cheese in your mouth, standing in your underwear, and basked in the refrigerator light at 2 AM. 

OF COURSE I LIKE CHEESE! GIVE ME ALL OF IT! CHRIST!

Now I watched this film on a beautiful Saturday morning. Of course it could always work as a night film! I think it speaks very highly when a movie can fit both a bright Saturday morning and a brooding, stormy night. 

Beautifully filmed, dramatic, chaotic, delicate, and haunting - this is just a wonderful film!  Best watched during spooky season and alone (or preferably with a black cat). Pairs with wild game, sherry, and gaslight(ing).

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this stellar piece of cinema history.

The Lair (2022)

October Challenge Day 6

I'm a sucker for military horror films. Or even military-esk horror films (e.g. John Carpenter's The Thing, etc).

Now, Dog Soldiers is - hand's down - one of my favorites and probably kick-started my love of this horror story style. I've tried understanding why but I'm guessing I just really like the fast-paced action, the witty banter right before something terrible happens, and the teamwork-oriented kickassery. 

Could be that or perhaps it's just me coming from three generations of military families and I'm just trying to get through some generational trauma. Either way! Military horror films are some of my favorites. 

So when I saw a trailer for this film, I was all "...hell yeah. Doesn't even look great but now I have to see it". Let's check out:

The Lair

Yeah, this one starts off strong with a military plane being shot down and some big tiddies. And that's when I knew exactly where this film was going. So, with an unsurprising sigh, I cracked open a beer and waited for the monsters to arrive. 

This film follows some troops in Afghanistan who stumble upon a Soviet bunker that is filled with evil scientific, and forgotten experiments.... Uh Oh!

Yes, this film is exciting, visually, fast-paced, filled with quite the cast of characters, and loaded with epic fight and kill scenes. The dialogue though is lacking... but in a fun way, if you're prepared for it. The monsters on the other hand are Excellent! Super stellar fun monsters!

Overall, rather ridiculous but fun if you're looking for a fling-style movie night. Best watched in a bunker, or a living room blanket fort will also work well. Keep lights low and load up on comfy, cozy, blankets and pillows. Pairs with chicken nugget dinners (or chicken curry), beer, seltzers, or another drink that no one else really likes or understands but brings you joy. 

I watched this film on Shudder or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this military monster feature. 

Misbegotten (1997)

October Challenge Day 5

I can't even with this one. I can't!  Hahahaha! It just touches on so many ... things. Let's take a look at:

Misbegotten

This poster image! LOLOLOLOLOLOLO

Let's see what we can do here ... um. This film is about a serial killer who is OBSESSED with getting a woman pregnant. When his seed accidentally ends up in a fertility clinic, and a loving couple discovers they are pregnant thanks to the clinic's science, he becomes deadly obsessed with them. 

[drags palms down the face]

There's a lot going on here, folks.

Okay, first of all, as I do with all October Challenge films, I walked in blind to this movie, I'm just randomly selecting films, and I had no idea what this film was really about when I started it. Let me tell you. Let Me Tell You! The ick I had - the full body skin-crawl ick I experienced by this killer's obsession with inseminating a women - reached new heights.

Also, this is not really a great movie. It's pretty ... bad ... but it's also so off the charts with the plot that I was completely invested, much to my turning stomachs' suffering. 

Now, I also never had children. Never will want children - thank god my eggs are dying at rapid speed and I'm in the heart of perimenopause, of which I'm welcoming with open arms - because the idea of pregnancy already turns my stomach. [belch] Thank you to all the parents out there carrying on the human race! Lord's work, I imagine. 

I share all this because maybe that is why this mediocre at best film somewhat traumatized me? It got me thinking and came to some horrified theories: How often does this happen, really? Meaning, how many men out there are so frustrated at being unable to reproduce (reproduce vs. intercourse, specifically), they turn violent, psychotic? Is that part of the mania, the need for control AND reproducing? 

My brain just went down all sorts of rabbit holes and I started thinking about 28 Days Later  - the sexual slavery in that film very nearly made me throw up. I have panic attacks when I try to watch The Handmaid's Tale. I just gave up. I can't do. It's defeated me. 

Folks, I watch and listen to A Lot of true crime and it absolutely astounds me the level of stupid, violent sh*t men, in particular, do when they don't get their way. Also, October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.

In all, this film is a little nuts (this is one of my better puns - particularly when you see the ending of this film). It can't quite be rated. It's an experience. It's also unintentionally hilarious in many ways. It embodies the '90s low budget schlock while also being completely unhinged. 

Best watched with alone? I don't know. This one's hard. You might also need someone else there to validate what you're both seeing. Pairs with pepto bismol.

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you might find this tummy turner.