An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe (1970)

October Challenge Day 11

OH MY!

I never knew I NEEDED to see Vincent Price perform four Edgar Allen Poe stories in theatrical form, but I know now. I'm better for this experience. Let's take a look at:

An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe

Okay, so some people are Shakespeare folks. Some are Gilbert and Sullivan folks. Some others are opera, ballet, etc. folks. As a theater kid - I Am All These Folks. I love the theater, was pretty good in theater - went to state for some performances, made people laugh wildly for others, sang for a few, went pretty much naked for a few others, and even wrote a short play and had it performed. 

I love The Theater!

What I was not expecting when I popped in this film was how I lost my breath watching Vincent Price perform on what felt like my personal stage. Melted. What a talent. Marvelous man.

This is not your typical film and it's not your typical play. It's a one man show, speaking on behalf of Edgar Allen Poe.

I am a Poe fan, by the way. Big time. Don't care much for H.P. Lovecraft. His works feel more narcissistic while Poe's feel's more sympathetic - additionally, I trust Lovecraft's horrible history more, and distrust the light Poe has historically been painted in. 

I can't help but shake the thought that Price felt the same when he portrayed his characters here. Passionate, heartbroken, mad, and lost, there is heart here in the relaying of these stories - all on a stage platform. 

Overall, love it! Love this. If you also love the theater then don't miss this! 

Best watched in your best theater attire. Alone or with a best theater friend, on a dark, late, night. Pairs with wine, drama, and decay. 

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 absolutely stunning feature.  

Reptile (2023)

October Challenge Day 10

I've been pretty uninspired by the horror films on Netflix lately, but for some reason this film caught my attention almost instantly. Long time followers know that I list a lot of "Drama" and "Thrillers" on my blog. That's because sometimes drama films, especially, scare the absolute living SH*T Out of Me!

Let's take a look at: 

Reptile

What in the L.A. Confidential No Country for Old Men Sharp Objects True Detective Season 1 is this beauty!?

Wow! I can see why it's skyrocketing to the top of the popularity lists.

I imaging many people initially thought the same thing I did: is this about the murder of Lindsay Buziak?  It certainly seems inspired ... [shivers] that is an absolutely chilling case that lives rent free in my head, A Lot. 

This stone-cold crime thriller had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Note, this is one where you must pay attention at every second. I looked away a few times and I just had to rewind and start from the beginning again. TWICE

Here we have the story of a gritty detective trying to solve a murder in a small town. Classic tag line but it's the experience of this film that needs to be felt. Viewers will move through in an almost a dream-like state, growing increasingly more paranoid as we embark further through the maze. 

I'm sure we're going to be hearing a lot more about this film, seeing as it was just recently released as of the time of this post, so I'll keep this brief. 

With a stellar cast and haunting atmosphere slapping you in the face right off the bat, strap in for a wild two hour ride. Well done!

Best watched in a very still, silent, and empty room. 

My thoughts are with Lindsay Buziak's friends and family. I look forward to her killer being found, and soon. 

As right now this film is only available on Netflix. Down the road use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you might be able to find this expressive and powerful feature. 

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.