Wolf Like Me (Television Show, 2022)

I've side-eyed Valentines Day since, I dunno, forever. I found it very touché, however, that I stumbled upon a mini series just before Valentines Day and completely fell head-over-heals for it because, well, it's a well done creature feature. Let me introduce you to my latest crush: 

Wolf Like Me

Anyone who knows me knows I do not like romance films - aside from the rare few that I will defend passionately until the end. I have an odd dichotomy though when romance shows up in horror films. My heart will often ache so happily for the (usually) blood covered budding romance. 

One example that comes to mind often is After Midnight - which absolutely broke me. I kept rewinding the ending.

This show floored me as well. FLOORED ME. Folks, I signed up for Peacock premium just to finish the show (which was devoured in hours).

Here we have a story about a widow and widower who have a violent meet-cute and as they begin to unveil themselves over day drinking things get...very complicated. 

As a widow who has deerp deerp deerpity deerped her way though life I felt SEEN in just the first episode. There might have been a few moments where I whispered to myself, "...this is me... dear god...". It didn't help that I got tagged recently in a Facebook collection of embarrassing self admissions, a friend stating: "This has Jolie written over it!" No lies were detected. 

Endearing, whip-smart, charming, heart breaking, and with a Monster Literally In The Basement, I was completely smitten with this horror love story. It's a great fit for those who like their horror more laid back as well as for those who like a very specific monster (see title). 

I can honestly say I've never seen a show quite like this one, or a creature feature telling quite like this one. 

This is a very short series and I'm not sure if they'll make a season two, which is why I'm keeping some key details quiet. Sharing too much will take away from its first date charm and anticipation. In all, I loved the show. Loved it. 

Best watched while scrolling through your online dating app, pairs with whiskey, vegan food, and either alone, with a partner, best bud, or cuddled up with your fur babies. 

I watched this on Peacock, or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this utter delight of a creature feature love story. 

Horror Movie Night Cookbook Volume 1

 Happy New Year, everyone! I hope all are safe, well, and riding out this latest COVID variant in style (and lots of movies).

I wanted to shakes things up a bit to kick off the new year, so I thought I'd give a shout out to a cookbook I received as a Christmas present:

Horror Movie Night Cookbook Volume 1, by Richard S. Sargent

Long time followers know that I often provide a suggested food and beverage pairing for the best horror movie watching experience (albeit, often tongue-in-cheek), but this fine fella Actually Wrote A Cookbook!!

Please know that I howled with delight as I tore open the wrapping paper, and then I just sat there, incredibly impressed and completely absorbed by the contents! This is damn neat cookbook!

You'll find recipes for finger food [heh], beverages, full meals, sweets, loads of horror movies and horror themes to enhance the joy.

This is not only an utterly delightful book with utterly delightful dish and drink names, but it's also really well made. A lot of work went into this project and it shows. Impressively detailed with recipes ranging from easy to difficult, as a self-admitted Not Very Good cook, I started taking it as a personal challenge to see if I could make these fine foods (the alcoholic drinks, no problem). That is to say, although covered in gore, this particular cookbook did not intimidate me. 

As of today, this is a pretty recent publication by Richard S. Sargent, which somehow made the gift that much more charming because I felt I hopped on a cool train to destination trending town. Also, as a published author myself, I really, really respect the amount of work it takes to not only get a book out in the world but also the hustle it takes to get the world to notice it. 

If you or someone you know would also enjoy this treat of a book, then you can find it here. Note, it's also available in digital format.

Great job, Richard S. Sargent, best of luck, and I look forward to seeing Volume 2.

The Vow (Television Show, 2020)

Somewhere around 2004 I watched What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? and my mind was BLOWN! Shortly there after I bought the book the documentary is based on - both the film and book still sit on my shelves. 

Fast forward many years later and I stumble across an article about this group called NXIVM, an accused cult, and I just couldn't wrap my head around about what I was reading. Sex cult? Health cult? How in the hell do you pronounce this nonsense name? And I put the article down and didn't think much more about it - it was just so ... weird.

Didn't think much more about it until I now have stumbled upon this documentary. I was looking (ready) for answers. So imagine my surprise when one of the first things that came up in the documentary was the film What the #$*! Do We (K)now!?, and I absolutely was not ready to be dragged down the sadistic rabbit hole by author and director, and previous cult member: Mark Vicente.

Let's take a look at: 

The Vow

This drama show is a terrifying look into how *easily* good people can suddenly find themselves doing monstrous things - all in the name of mental and emotional health, and helping the world be a better place. 

The story follows a handful of defectors from the cult, as soon as they found themselves riding a runaway train to destination f*cked. A real, terrible, horror crawled under my skin as I sat wondering - considering how vulnerable I've been in different stages of my life and based on this cult leader's teachings of finding the science in your well being - would I have fallen for it? 

I actually think I would have, or at least entertain the idea for a while. I am pretty certain I would not have seen 'cult' scratched into the foreheads right away. Manipulation has a very distinct and nauseating smell, however. So I'd also like to think I would have seen myself out the door as soon as that poisonous air was detected. 

This is a harrowing rollercoaster of the ride folks! Harrowing and sad, you feel for the folks (some of them...)

One thing I found so absolutely terrifying is that viewers didn't really hear, in significant detail, all the of the teachings from leader I-Think-He-Doth-Protest-To-Much-Keith Raniere. This is a Blessing! By the last episode you're pretty bombarded with his damaging words and I don't think I would have been able to handle more than one episode of that. Physically, mentally painful just watching snippets of a video tape. I am speechless at what it must have been like for victims, in person. 

Escaping abusive relationships is the most dangerous time for escapees, and this documentary not only documents the cult's growth but also the escapes and take-down by law enforcement. It's a rollercoaster - a very real, very scary, very dangerous rollercoaster. 

This stuff scares me. The real horror stories.

Best watched alone, and when you think you have all your shit together. Pairs with food you love (and DON'T count the calories!). 

I watched this film on HBO or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this nightmare of a decades long situation. 

Take care folks! Don't get sucked into cults!

The Capture of the Green River Killer (2008)

After an intense horror movie binge in October, I typically take a break and turn to a humor binge (currently Curb Your Enthusiasm). But this year I'm also spicing it up with a lot - a lot! - of murder. 

Murder podcasts, TV shows, or documentaries -  these things can be playing in my apartment background all day, often while I'm choring, painting or cross stitching. While these horrifying stories can often stop me suddenly in my tracks with their real life nightmares, the Green River Killer sends a very specific chill up my spin.

At 19, in the late '90s, I was living near the SeaTac Strip. Folks, I was literally grocery shopping in Gary Ridgway's hunting grounds! It gives me a very specific chill knowing that he was wandering the area as I was there...

Let's check out:

The Capture of the Green River Killer

While the Green River Killer gives me a very specific chill, nothing compares with my own brush with a serial rapist and murderer. I feel I shared this story before but to recap:

In 2004 I was walking down the street, living my best life, when a car rolled up and the man driving it asked me if he could give me a ride. I turned to him and said politely, "You have a nice day".

Folks, this piece of shit suddenly, frighteningly, and immediately started screaming at me. Shouting "I'm just trying to be nice!!" Oh I knew I was in big, big trouble right then. He kept rolling his car along side me as I kept walking - looking forward but taking glances over to him. Heart racing. He was so angry I feared he was going to jump out of his car and come after me. 

I arrived at a bus stop and turned to see that a bus was, by a miracle, coming up the road. Thankfully, this walking form of diarrhea was also holding up traffic at this moment and other cars began honking. He continued screaming incoherently as I jumped on that bus so fast. I got a good look at him though as the bus pulled up. This fucking douche canoe had a face you couldn't forget. 

So imagine my surprise when - now 5 years later - while carrying a plate of my dinner to the living room, I saw his face on the evening news. I about dropped my plate, especially when I saw he was sentenced to life in prison for a 2004 assault, rape, and murder spree. I was one of his targets. 

DO NOT LIKE

SCARY SHIT

So that's my escape from a real life monster. Let's take a look at another one. 

When I turned this on I had no idea it was a miniseries (3 hours long). When the opening credits began rolling I thought to myself, "...the font makes this look like a Lifetime movie...". About halfway through I realized *it is* a Lifetime movie! Oh fonts.

Within the first 30 minutes though is when I really, strongly, believed it was a Lifetime film. There are signs. It also had a strange Hallmark movie feel so I was a little confused. In all, it took about 45 minutes to really get into this show. As things progressed though, and the hunt for the killer intensified, I really got into it. 

This particular show follows both the King County detectives trying to track down a serial killer, and a side story that ominously follows a young woman who falls right into the murder's demographic. It's a little weird, rather kind of good, and in true Lifetime (and Hallmark) movie style, I got a little weepy by the end. 

In short, this was a rather decent show. I also read somewhere that this miniseries was one of the most watched on Lifetime, when released. It's haunting and has some moving moments, despite it's occasional awkwardness. 

In all, if you are into the murder stories - check this one out. If you like Lifetime films then I'm almost certain you'll enjoy this one. If you don't like Lifetime films still give this one a shot - it might surprise you. 

Best watched alone or with one best friend, surrounded by boxes of paper, files, and evidence. Pairs with TV dinners and bottles of beers. 

I watched this film on Amazon Prime or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see where else you can find this quirky but solemn feature. 

I wish the victims and families of this monster peace. Fuck off, Gary.

Happy Halloween! Here's 18 Short Horror Films You Need To See! (2021 edition)

 October Challenge Day 31:

Happy Halloween everyone!! Here is 18 brilliant short horror films to spook up your day.

Why 18 you ask? Because this is the 8th month of the old Roman calendar and the 10th month of the current calendar. BRAINS!

So without further ado, below is my pick of some of the best out there. With a review of 18 words or less, and in no particular order, please enjoy Horror Habit's 2021 Short Horror Film Festival.

*Note, Blogger has gone through an update and I can no longer embed videos as I have done in previous years. Simply click on the title links - they'll take you directly to the films.

My First Time: Oh dear. This one night stand went got terribly, terribly out of hand.

Shutdown: Not pandemic related, but certainly going into the office (or not!) related. 

Tagged: What's in the photo! What's in the photo!!!

The Shoes: These shoes hold a massive, massive grudge. 

Bill: Folks, don't call up what you can't put down!

Wash: I was doing the laundry when I found this - alarmingly frightening. 

Televised: A nice little experiment in sound and visuals - compliments of the TV.

Window Dressing: When decorations take on a life of their own!

Nibble: Well, this got gross right quick...

Tending The Rabbits: A fever dream of art house horror - not for everyone.

Charlie Boy: Absolutely outstanding! I have no more words! Outstanding! Utterly terrifying and heartbreaking!

Kissed: Don't do that, mortuary tech - don't do that! Warned you!

Mr. Dentonn: A slender man, classic boogey man, and babadook meet. 

Campfire Story: Gather around and hear another spin on a classic story! Fun, funny, and freaky.

Gotcha: A stylish little creature feature!

Maisie: Uh Oh! That's not your typical children's doll! Brilliant opening. 

Bad Omen: And now for a little killer kid fun!

Wandering Soul: Oh, well, this is all sorts of f*cked up!