Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story (2019)

Hey hey hey, welcome to 2023, everyone!

Well, I've been exploring, lightly, horror films for the last several months because I mostly got stuck in comedy and true crime. As you do.

But tonight, as I was experimenting making a fancy pasta dish, I turned on the TV and the nice streaming service recommended this film. I have an excellent view of the TV from my open kitchen, and I know the true history of this story so I was all: Hell Yeah - let's do this (as I was accidently burning things in the kitchen).

Let's check out the Lifetime Movie version of the very real story of: 

Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story

I'm not a good cook, I try, but I'm not good. I am pretty good at history though. So I was oddly excited to see what part and how this story was going to be told. *also note the very nice The Yellow Wallpaper background in this poster. Noted. Noted, whoever made this.

The film kicks off immediately how I didn't want it to - which caused me sad alarm but I stuck with it. By the end I realized this made-for-TV show was playing the narrative backwards from Nellie's original story. And to be fair, I actually respected what was being done (after I wrapped my head around it). It's trying to grab your heart strings first, not your Pinkerton-level knowledge of the background behind the story, as Nellie told it.

I'm not going to give secrets away but you must read this after watching the film. Please, please, please read Nellie's original words after watching. 

The story follows a young woman trapped in a horrible insane asylum in late 1800s New York. Things are not good, not good at all. Worse yet, most women trapped there are just there because they don't speak English, are old, or had a nervous breakdown because being a woman at that time was HORRIBLE and their husbands wanted them out of the way.

There were some ground-breaking changes in mental healthcare that resulted from Nellie's experience, however. And as someone who works in healthcare with a behavioral science degree, to this day, I notice something new is learned everyday. 

Some people are monsters because they want to be and take pleasure in it because that's all they know as a human connection. Some are circumstantial(?) monsters because of ignorance and societal norms. Some are monsters because they are horrified by what we are capable of and do terrible things anyway, out of fear. This movie is about the monsters we have to constantly fight that make a society and haunt our heads. 

In all, this was a truly captivating story when I first read it some 17 years ago. Obviously I haven't forgotten about it. Nellie is an icon in my eyes.

I can't say this is a great film, but it's a neat one. I also really appreciate stumbling upon the controversial historical characters Christina Ricci has been portraying for the last several years. Mad respect. These ladies are complicated. 

Overall, I found this to be quirky (liberties were made of course) but a perfect pick for making a messy kitchen evening - the evening called for a made-for-TV Lifetime movie. Particularly about a bad b*tch in the late 1890s.

Pairs with rotted meat and potatoes and a sack for clothing. 

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 fun (? no that's not right) feature. 

Happy Halloween! Here's 18 Short Horror Films You Need To See! (2022 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 2022 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.

The Rule of Three: OCD and a lonely cabin in the woods brings out a clever bloodbath.

Ivy: A flirtation at the local cafe turns deadly when they head back home to get better acquainted...

Threshold: Tinkering around, late at night, in the garage takes some unexpected twists.

Phantasmic: David Lynchian, nightmare inspired, chaos show. 

Papa-Figo: Just a couple of kids, doing kid stuff, when something goes terribly, terribly wrong.

Killer Date: A dude thinks he knows all there is about dating and one-night-stands....

Visitor: The widow was not expecting this particular knock at the door...

Final Grave: Something sinister is lurking in the back of this man's mind, and home.

Arcade: A cheeky little slasher with all the '80's vibes.

No mires ahí (Don’t look there): A touching and heartbreaking little tale about grief and ghosts. 

20 Matches: A menacing, unique, and succinct little tale about a serial killer.

The Drawing: A charming and frightening short, short about a deadly doodle.

Granny: A hilarious story about Grandma refusing to go into a nursing home, quietly. 

Demon: Absolutely brilliant - edge of your seat horror! Watch in a dark setting. 

The World Over: A young couple discover a portal to a parallel universe in their house. Things get really damn weird!

Rest My Bones: This little tickler has fun twist on a chat with the Devil, sort of...

Spectral: A ghostly little snack of jump scares!

A Night in Camp Heebie Jeebie: Let's finish this year's short horror fest with a fun one for the whole family!

Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! (2022)

October Challenge Day 30

Hahahahaha! Oh my goodness - did I find a perfect, fun little film to watch when you wake up after a night on the town with friends?:

Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!

Yes. 

Did I just forget how funny Scooby shows were or did they just get readjusted for adults? I mean, I loved Scooby-Doo as a kid but I haven't seen a Scooby cartoon in over 30 years. How smart, silly, and modern, is this movie! Very!

So yeah, as I was saying:

When you wake up with a groan, throw on a robe, walk over last night's costume laying on the floor, put your hair up in a messy bun, and as you're making your fizzy water/coffee, the prior night's events come flooding back to you. Such as How Much Damn Fun you had with friends at the burlesque musical about the misadventures of Jack Skellington. And then you all found a strange little hidden bar  - but then you all kinda all got separated, as nights out with a big group of friends do -  but somehow all found each other again at another pub in another neighborhood. 

And then, as you're cheering on your friends as they sing karaoke, you turn around to find a dude dressed as Robin Hood, I mean William Shakespeare, sitting right there at your table, next to you - just helped himself. And instead of simply saying "Hello", you say with, cringe clarity, "Where did you come from?" OMG.

And you stayed out too late, you had too much fun, and for some odd reason this cartoon seemed like a really good idea first thing in the morning. And I'm here to confirm: IT IS! Also, the sound track is rockin!

Also, and to quote the show I went to last night: This Is Halloween!! 

So have all the fun, get dressed up, laugh so hard your sides hurt, love your friends, eat the candy, and watch cartoons! Particularly on a weekend morning, it brings all the childhood memory vibes back. 

Watch alone with your cats, or with friends when you're lounging the day away in pajamas, or with the whole family. You're sure to find it a delight! For an extra dose of flare - enjoy that Halloween candy or that costume change with the film's score.

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 freaky fun feature. 

The Source Family (2012)

October Challenge Day 29

I debated heavily about putting this out as a horror film review, but it came up in conversation with friends so much - because CULTS ARE TERRIFYING - that I was all, what the hell. Let's check out:

The Source Family

I hate cults so much. 

SO MUCH. 

I didn't even look up from my computer when major events happened in this documentary. I just pointed at the TV, and on queue, when this documentary was trying to be dramatic, I continued typing when these  happened:

He thinks he's speaking to God. 

He says he loves you.

He starts having fancy cars/things.

Drugs come into the picture.

Give up your finances.

Give up your support system.

Give up your identity.

Young women/girls become a part of the scene. 

You can marry multiple people. 

Oh look, now we have 15 year old wives.

I'm shocked.

:|

So this sorry excuse of a human not only started a cult based on wholesome food, but killed multiple people with his own hands, left multiple marriages, children, AND people still followed him as if he was a god. 

Go to hell, brah. I'll see you there (according to the multiple men who told me that is where I'll be going).

This documentary came up in conversation multiple times with my people - and I even have a beloved friend who fully admits she wanted to learn more. She's already been a part of at least one famous cult. A cigarette is hanging out of my mouth, I'm taking a sip from my beer, and my big, sleepy eyes are all judgy at her. She rolls with it.

She rolls with it because she knows she has an escape plan. She has people who will knock others out to get to her.  I hate cults so much, but I appreciate that I know folks who are going to dive into this madness to understand it, and her folks will f*ck shit up if needed.

I wanted to vomit though when, by the end of the film, I saw people were still trying to keep this cult message alive - and didn't see this 'leader' as the monster he was. 

In all, I hate, hate, hate, hate cults.  And MAGAs - you're top on my vomit list. I do take a deep breath though, to realize my rage is at the manipulator, not the victims. 

This was a gross documentary because an alarming amount of people saw no problem with what was happening with this guy and still try to keep his image alive. Nah. Going to file this one in my horror selection. Also going to see my way out.

I watched this film on my Philo or use the Find It! Watch It! links on Horror Habit's side bar to see were else you can find this real life nightmare. 

The Hunger (1983)

October Challenge Day 28

I don't even know how long this film has been on my To Watch list. Years? Decades? Well, I finally did it. I finally saw the cult classic: 

The Hunger

Gaddamn vampires. 

Here we have the story of an ancient, ancient vampire who looses her century long companion because of neglect/indifference as she vies for a new partner. Her new partner of choice turns out to be a bit more than she can chew...

It never fails for me, never fails. Every Damn Vampire film looks and acts just like addiction and narcissism. Every single one. Let's check the boxes:

• Immediate high/seduction to a new drug
• Doing what ever you can to get your next fix/blood
• Become dependent upon people's vulnerability
• Take advantage of people for your own needs - often times sucking them dry...
• The withdrawals are the worst

Okay, just had to get that out of the way. 

But I loved this film. I knew I was going to love this film because it has David Bowie in it, but the suspicion was solidified when the movie opened with Bauhaus singing Bela Lugosi's Dead. I was transported right back to my goth club days. 

I still don't know where my damn corset is. I actually liked that thing.

In any case, this is an art house-ish film that didn't really take off except in the cult world. I think that's fine. As an unofficial representative of cult classic films, I fully endorse this choice. It's a lovely, sexy, haunting, and cautionary tale about being an asshole to your partners and abuse. 

Best watched either leisurely on weekend mornings or late at night as the wind is howling outside. Pairs with sherry and any meat dish (rare). 

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 culty creature feature.