The Substance (2024)

October Challenge Day 6:

My friends and family were so excited to see this film. So the group of us headed over to the movie theater I once worked at and piled into the seats. 

Let's talk about:

The Substance

So all I knew about this film, walking in, was it was about women aging. That's about it. 

I love walking into films blind!

Here we have a starlet who's feeling time taking a toll on her mind, body, career, and soul.  Much of chaos that ensues could have been avoided if it weren't for toxic patriarchy and self esteem battles. But that wouldn't make for a great horror film. 

Throughout the film I kept chuckling about my own aging process. How wild it was that in my stupid youth (because youth is wasted on the young) I was free in my not fully developed frontal lobe, loving the world and making it through life on my own, working as a ticket taker at a movie theater. 

I had to hold back a chuckle when I ordered a drink at the concession stand when I told the staff, excitedly, "I used to work here, 27 years ago!?". Guess what, no body cared. No Body Cared lolololololololololo

Funny how those 27 years went by so quickly though. In the bathroom there I took a good look at my face in the mirrors I used to once wash while wearing my little theater uniform and bowtie.... I'm pretty alright with how things turned out. 

I think that's the point of the film, to a significant degree. Being okay with saying goodbye to who you were, appreciating where you're at, and having a good laugh and cry at all the time that was wasted (and not wasted). It goes much deeper than that but this is a conversation starter. 

This film is also a spectacular gory blood bath. Even this hardened horror fan had to look a way for a minute to two. Body horror all the way! And by the end, there was such a blood fiasco that I just ended up laughing out loud. Nearly all of us did.

Something my brother and I noticed were all the tributes to classic horror films and the art of practical effects throughout this film.  Let me know how many tributes you found! 

With this film floating between eras and ages, I couldn't stop thinking about how disgusting and beautiful it all was. Almost as if it was a heartache. A woman's heartache.

So I personally loved this film and looking forward to seeing it again. Chef's kiss.

I watched this film in the theater. Use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you might be able to find this GORY feature.

Backfire (1987)

October Challenge Day 5:

Oh this here is some sultry business! A classic, classic '80s late night thriller. Let's talk about:

Backfire

Here we have the story of a Vietnam Veteran who is suffering from PTSD and his wife is doing her best to take care of him. Even through this nightmares, his outbursts, his drinking, his embarrassing and controlling behavior...

He experiences an extreme traumatic response and becomes catatonic, where his wife now needs to *really* take care of him in their looming mansion along the water. What could possibly go wrong here?

Oh you know, everything. 

Now, I come from a military family and have dedicated my career to Veterans, so I don't take military PTSD (or any PTSD-related experience, for that matter) lightly and don't want it portrayed lightly. And honestly, I was pretty impressed with how this film handled the experience. Surprised, even, how the story unfolded and concluded.

In all, this is a silky thriller with a solid, nerve-wracking plot and nicely executed acting. Don't care for this poster art through [rolling side eye for eva].

Watch with a friend or with strangers in a bar. Pairs with beers, shots, and salty, salty food.

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 luscious film.  

Raw Nerve (1991)

October Challenge Day #4

Well, this one was interesting .... let's talk about:

Raw Nerve:

Here we have the classic tale of a race car driver who suddenly starts to have visions of women being murdered. This is not good for him and questions are flying. 

And then things got *really* weird. 

This is a solid thriller/slasher with a twist ending that may make you feel kinda gross. Like, it's surprising they went that direction. I'm not big in spoilers but think, Chinatown...

I can't say I liked this film much but I respect it. I stayed for Sandahl Bergman and Traci Lords, who were wildly entertaining. 

Are you in the mood for mediocre '90s fun and a fast acting, fast talking journalist who's just trying to find the truth behind the man who claims to have visions of murders? Then this film is for you. 

Watch while making soup and maybe doing some dusting. Pairs with soup and a leg up on the couch, lounging in your best and most lazy lounge wear. 

I rented this film from Scarecrow Video or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see elsewhere you can find this overall entertaining film. 

Apartment 7A (2024)

October Challenge Day 3: 

When I started this film up, I legit - Legit - had no idea what I was getting into. 

I was somehow so oblivious about this film that I had no idea it was a prequel to Rosemary's Baby until about 20 minutes in. 

Let's take a moment to talk about: 

Apartment 7A

Here we have the story of Terry, who Rosemary met once and long ago in the basement laundry room. We only knew her for a minute...

And that's when I realized it's been a long time since I've seen Rosemary's Baby. We'll get back to that later...

I appreciate the originality. I really appreciated how an entire movie was made surrounding the backstory of a bit character in a Classic horror film. 

I'm sad to say that I felt a majority of the film was weak - and I have no real other term for this experience. The film felt forced and uninspired aside from depending on people who just love Rosemary's Baby. And still, I loved the idea. 

Here we have the story of down-on-her luck young woman in New York who is gifted the opportunity to move into a stellar apartment and start a new life. Who wouldn't turn that down. Unfortunately, if it's too good to be true, it usually is...

Made more spooky for me though, is that I just came back from a visit to New York City for the first time in my life and I realized I was right next to The Dakota as I was strolling Central Park...

In all, I wanted to like this film more than I did. I appreciated the work and creativity. I was disappointing by the final outcome with exception to the very end which packed a punch. 

This is worth at least one watch and I'll be curious to see how this one matures as time creeps on. 

Best watched in alone or with a small group. Pairs with soup and strange dishes that sound like they should be familiar but aren't.

I watched this film on Paramount+ or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can watch this classic demon story.

Fire Island (2023)

October Challenge Day 2: 

So I was completely shocked when this film started auto playing when I wasn't paying attention... 

Let's talk about:

Fire Island

Folks, I about fell out of my chair when I saw this come across my screen. Because I had Just arrived from Fire Island, NY a month ago. Why did this film auto play!??!?

AND I LOVE THE SHIT OUT OF FIRE ISLAND (the actual ISLAND). So when this started playing I was obligated to sit my ass down and stay. 

When I first got off the ferry and wandered into the Cherry Grove village of Fire Island I knew I was in heaven and found my safe place. Which makes it all the more interesting that this film turned this place into a horror film ... hahahaha. 

Here were have a group of 20 somethings excited for a visit to the now near deserted island right around the height of the COVID-19 lock down era. Happy-go-lucky and excited to hug people again, these friends wander around the small island through it's dunes and unique forest - failing to notice they are being hunted by something.

Now, when I tell you Fire Island (particularly Cherry Grove) is the safest place I've ever been that's not an exaggeration. Well, I mean, you'll need to avoid the sharks, rip tides, and drunkenly falling off the boardwalks but other than that! Perfectly safe place. There aren't even cars to worry about - No Cars Allowed! Even the deer come right up to you. Don't touch them though. Ticks. 

This most personal of an expedience made this film even more humorous for me. Literally the safest place I've ever been -  I was outside showering in front of god and man, maybe I showed my breasts for a few bucks off my drinks (it is an expensive place, FYI), attending drag show after drag show - and this movie is all out here trying to tell me to be scared of the place. Lololololo

This film struggled, though. I, uh, would not call it a good film. GREAT if you are familiar with the island, however. Also note, they keep referring to another village on the island called The Pines, but most of the shots were in Cherry Grove (FYI). Also, also note, don't confuse this movie with the romantic comedy Fire Island from 2022, which is a more accurate portrayal of the Fire Island experience.

I had such a wonderful time in Fire Island I can't be mad at this film. It just brought back so many fresh, happy memories - even through all the murdering. 

Best watched with friends, on the beach or in a luxurious back yard. Pairs with lot of booze. 

I watched this film on Paramount+ or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this cheeky slasher. 

Now, please enjoy some pictures I took of Fire Island!