Horror movies that are like plays?

I'm watching some of Existenz this morning. I hope I don't sit here long enough to watch the whole thing, it would be better to go out and do something in the physical world. But, just to mention this... I have always been struck by how much Existenz (and some other Cronenberg films) feels/feel like a play. Not completely, but often, and certainly much more than many other movies.

The Ashley Judd/Michael Shannon movie Bug reminds me of a play at times, too.

I know I have thought this before, about other horror movies, but nothing is coming to mind right now. Wait, maybe Misery, at times... there are other movies though. Anyone else have anything that comes to mind?

Udo Vs. Joe: Volume 1



The old Universal monsters were great. At least I'm sure they seemed like it at the time to all the depression-era folks who got their minds blown by all the Horror come to life. I mean, sure. They're ok. I mostly liked them as a kid, and will always respect them for what they were. But Dracula? Frankenstein? Wolf Man? The Mummy? They have a place. And t's called the 1930's and 40's. But of course, there's Hammer, who resurrected them all for the late 50's to early 70's era. A seemingly endless amount of films that probably should have been a little more interesting than they were, and despite wearing out their welcome a bit, they too ran their course. So, by 1973, who would want more of that? Trust me. You want this!

In 1973, Trash/semi-gay-themed Art Film director, Paul Morrissey was ready for something a little different. Best known for his Flesh/Trash/Heat Trilogy with friend/producer, Andy Warhol, Morrissey would try to infuse his Waters-esque style into a horror project, which quickly became two horror projects. More on the second one some other time, but the first was to be Flesh For Frankenstein, also known as Andy Warhol's Frankenstein. A trashier, more perverted take on the Mary Shelley classic. In other words, Morrissey dragged the legend of Frankenstein into the 70's. And with Udo Kier brought on board to play the Doctor, it seems as though we're finally in for something different.

That Baron Frankenstein is a weird one, eh? Being married to his sister and all. Having two kids with her, even. Plus, he's always in that laboratory with that little weirdo, Otto, who is probably a little too dedicated for a mere assistant, but hey. Good help isn't always easy to come by. And the Baron is sure to keep him in check. Those two rascals have been gathering up dead bodies and sewing parts together so that the Baron can create a race of Super Serbians, starting with a man and a woman, whose purpose will be to mate. These Super Serbians will answer only to Baron Frankenstein. Something about ruling the world. It's a hobby. I guess it's a hobby. It's the only thing he ever thinks about or talks about. And seemingly the only thing that matters to him. That's called a hobby, right?

Dr. Frankenstein is a lot of things, but family man is not one of them. Baron's sister-wife doesn't seem to mind as long as nobody bothers her with anything. Their two kids don't have personalities, and probably hate them. One could say that the Frankenstein's are one lousy ass family. We find out the Baron is a bit of a hypocrite, as he is not shy about showing what a big prude he is. Meanwhile, he decides to test out the female before she's even brought to life. By the way. Is there a word for that? If you make love with someone who isn't alive yet, that's technically not necrophilia, right?

So, the female is obviously good to go. however the head of the male has yet to be retrieved. Frankenstein and Otto spy on a couple of locals who aim to get their dicks wet at the local brothel. One of them seems to be tearing them all up pretty good. Due to a misunderstanding, Frankenstein and Otto ambush and remove the head of the wrong guy. And when I say "wrong", I mean asexual, or possibly a repressed homo. We don't really get to know him well enough to tell.

The one whose life was spared would have served them well, though. Nicholas is all about the poon. A very out of place character played by Morrissey regular, Joe Dallesandro. Joe isn't happy to find his buddy's head missing when he wakes up the next morning. Nobody needs that shit AND a hangover. Joe is determined to solve this mystery, or at least slightly motivated, but in typical Joe fashion, he is distracted by an affair he stumbles upon with Baroness Frankenstein. He tries getting her to help, but she doesn't care. After stumbling upon the laboratory, Joe very well may figure something out, this time. Oh, and yeah. The Super Serbians aren't ever going to fuck. The Baron is not pleased. This makes Otto sad.

And there you have it. The perfect 70's B-Horror flick. Gore, nudity, all kinds of perversion, atmosphere, beautiful score, beautiful location. Just beautiful! Considering the hit or miss, John Waters-light, career that Paul Morrissey had going, this was no doubt shockingly good to many who originally saw it. The 3D gimmick was also probably a welcomed quality. Monique van Vooren added a touch of weirdness that didn't go unnoticed. The idea of a married brother and sister, who have no interest in one another, is a bit which never gets old. And Joe... well, he's definitely Joe. Nothing can take that away from him. Apparently, he figured his acting in past Morrissey films was adequate, as it certainly hasn't improved since Andy Warhol's Trash. My favorite part of this movie has always been the assistant, Otto, played by Arno Juerging. We never really find out what his deal is, but I'd be willing to bet he's the sickest fuck of them all. If you like good Horror, if you like bad Horror, if you like anything at all in this world, you'll love this movie. Promise! 9/10



#Review

Jigsaw: The Convolution Continues!

Yeah, that's right... Jigsaw! The 8th movie in the series to feature a killer who's been dead since part 3. If you don't know that much by now, just leave the thread, cuz it only gets more ridiculous.

With that said, the series is a twist-centric gorefest, so I'll try not to post spoilers, but the twist is pretty much what you'd expect at this point. Ask yourself how you'd make a Saw VIII, and if you take all the cues from the previous sequels... you'll see that this sequel is absolutely no different. It's more gore to curb your appetite, but fuck it. It's entertaining enough.

Like all the Saw movies, it's always open for another sequel, where Tobin Bell can continue to appear in flashbacks, because this movie really is no different. You've seen these twists in the other movies, but they're presented to you under a new name. "Jigsaw".

Will the next one be "Jigsaw II" when it can just as easily be "Saw IX"? Does Hollywood not like it when the sequel numbers get too high? Instead of Rocky 8, we'll be getting a Creed 2, because 2's can still be respectable.

The Spierig brothers did alright. It's gross enough, but never truly surprising at this point. Saw fans will like it though.

Logan's Run (1976)

What did you think of it?

I liked it and it has that weird vibe that sci-fi of its time had.

The 7th film in any given series

I was thinking about Cult of Chucky, and what a good job they did with it. There's a review floating around, somewhere out there in the ether of the internet, which rhetorically asks how it is possible for the seventh film in any horror series to be THAT good. I mean, jeez, it's a lot better than it had to be, right?!?

Anyway, that review got me thinking, and right off the bat I thought of several horror series in which the seventh film was actually one of the better ones in whatever the series is. Just the most obvious ones that came to mind, from the best known series, are often very respectable. Friday the 13th part 7, Halloween H20, and Wes Craven's New Nightmare are all actually not bad at all, in different ways. People could argue about whether Halloween H20 is so great, but hey, Jamie Lee did her job well, so that should count for something. In the Child's Play, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Halloween franchises, they all tried to sort of get back to the basics of whatever the franchise is about, in part seven of whatever the franchise is.

Even in Friday the 13th part 7... we have talked about this here before, or on IMDB... no one would argue that F13 part 7 really gets back to the basics, because, Jason versus Carrie?!?!?!?!? Come on. But, in a funny way, it does capture the heart of what the series has become about, more completely than many other films in the series, which is to say: zombie/whatever Jason in a hockey mask, stalking through the woods, at night, hacking up any young people in the vicinity who are engaging in sex, drugs, or just breathing too much.

But I digress. I guess there aren't that many horror series that have even made it to seven films, but can anyone think of any other series in which the seventh film was actually pretty damn good? Anything come to mind? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Wrestling with Chyna Documentary

I really have to see this. It breaks my heart knowing she was so depressed and was treated so unfairly. It's very sad that she passed away during the filming of this. I hope it's respectful to her.

Best Horrorthon Watch

I have to go with Sublime (2007) for overall best watch (it was a rewatch) :



And with Gerald's Game (2017) as best FTV :

you know what i really like about New Nightmare?

well, one thing.

the protaganists are faced with a hospital staff who (of course) don't believe this crazy horror premise is occuring, and they result to violence with seemingly no hesitation. it's hysterical to me.

Ash Vs Evil Dead Season 3

The hype is real :)

Watched all of Season 2 on Blu-Ray over October as well as the Original blu-ray of The Evil Dead. As well as some Friday The 13th movies. The Necronomicon is in Jason Goes To Hell so that franchise counts, sort of.

EBO'S PROGRESS - Vampire Hunter D (1985, 2000, Japan)

EBOSSERT's OCTOBER CHALLENGE REVIEW THREAD

Well, it's that time of year again. This will be my ninth attempt at the October Challenge. Here are my results from prior years:

2008 — 34 movies (17 first-time)
2009 — 45 movies (28 first-time)
2010 — 55 movies (38 first-time)
2011 — 35 movies (30 first-time)
2012 — 59 movies (34 first-time)
2013 — 63 movies (46 first-time)
2014 — 63 movies (44 first-time)
2015 — 61 movies (41 first-time)
2016 — 47 movies (29 first-time)

I'll be tracking my progress in the Official Progress thread, but this thread will provide the opportunity to provide my mini-reviews and hold discussions without cluttering the Official Progress thread with too many reply posts.

Total Viewings — 60

First Time Viewings — 31

1. The Green Inferno (2013, U.S.) — Recommended
2. The Conjuring 2 (2016, U.S.) — Not Recommended
3. Black Hand (2015, Korea) — Recommended
4. Alien: Covenant (2017, U.S./U.K.) — Not Recommended
5. Halloween Nightmare (2015, Japan) — Recommended
6. Halloween Nightmare 2 (2015, Japan) — Not Recommended
7. The Girl With All the Gifts (2016, U.K.) — Recommended
8. Saikyojyureiko (2016, Japan) — Not Recommended
9. Fuuin!! Hoso Kinshi Kensho Douga File Vol.16 (2013, Japan) — Not Recommended
10. Shinrei Toko Shin Shu Noroi No Doga Densetsu (2016, Japan) — Not Recommended
11. Kyo Akurei Jyusan Bon No Norowareta Toko Eizo (2014, Japan) — Not Recommended
12. Annabelle (2014, U.S.) — Not Recommended
13. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016, U.S.) — Strongly Recommended
14. Illusion of Blood (1965, Japan) — Recommended
15. Inferno (aka Kidan) (2005, Japan) — Recommended
16. The Void (2016, Canada) — Recommended
17. Sinister 2 (2015, U.S.) — Not Recommended
18. 31 (2016, U.S.) — Not Recommended
19. All Night Long 4 (2002, Japan) — Recommended
20. All Night Long 5 (2003, Japan) — Not Recommended
21. Hana-Dama: Phantom (2016, Japan) — Recommended
22. Among the Living (2014, France) — Not Recommended
23. Leatherface (2017, U.S.) — Cautiously Recommended
24. The Eyes of My Mother (2016, U.S.) — Recommended
25. Yami Douga 9 (2014, Japan) — Recommended
26. Pod (2015, U.S.) — Not Recommended
27. The Invitation (2015, U.S.) — Not Recommended
28. Blood Glacier (2013, Austria) — Recommended
29. Pumpkinhead (1988, U.S.) — Recommended
30. Zomvideo (2011, Japan) — Recommended
31. Jigsaw (2017, U.S.) — Cautiously Recommended

Repeat Viewings — 29

1. The Conjuring (2013, U.S.) — Recommended
2. House of Voices (aka Saint Ange) (2004, France) — Strongly Recommended
3. Horror Stories (2012, Korea) — Recommended
4. Dabbe (2006, Turkey) — Recommended
5. As the Gods Will (2014, Japan) — Strongly Recommended
6. Horror Stories 2 (2013, Korea) — Recommended
7. Them (2006, France) — Strongly Recommended
8. Cold Fish (2010, Japan) — Recommended
9. High Tension (2003, France) — Strongly Recommended
10. Baskin (2015, Turkey) — Recommended
11. Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989, Japan) — Strongly Recommended
12. Sinister (2012, U.S.) — Strongly Recommended
13. Strange Circus (2005, Japan) — Strongly Recommended
14. Spider Forest (2004, Korea) — Strongly Recommended
15. Dream Home (2010, Hong Kong) — Strongly Recommended
16. Greatful Dead (2013, Japan) — Strongly Recommended
17. Hana-Dama: The Origins (2014, Japan) — Recommended
18. Horror Stories 3 (2016, Korea) — Strongly Recommended
19. Inside (2007, France) — Strongly Recommended
20. Livide (2011, France) — Recommended
21. The Sleep Curse (2017, Hong Kong) — Recommended
22. Haunted School (1995, Japan) — Recommended
23. Haunted School 2 (1996, Japan) — Recommended
24. Haunted School 3 (1997, Japan) — Recommended
25. Haunted School 4 (1999, Japan) — Strongly Recommended
26. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003, Korea) — Strongly Recommended
27. Reincarnation (2005, Japan) — Strongly Recommended
28. Vampire Hunter D (1985, Japan) — Strongly Recommended
29. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000, Japan) — Strongly Recommended