Third Friday the 13th Horror Movie Maration

We won't have another Friday the 13th until September 2019, so we had better enjoy this one.

White Zombie (1932) with Cthulu, Sopapilla Bats and Boo-nanas

First up, a classic Bela Lugosi film set in Haiti. A couple travels to a plantation to be married at the invitation of the owner. Unbeknownst to them, he plans to use the powers of a local voodoo priest to steal away the bride for himself. Definite undertones of Dracula, esp. Nosferatu.

Bela Lugosi hyponotizes in the role of Murder Legrande. Sadly he settled for a flat salary for the film and regretted all of his life. His amazing eyes deserved a salary of their own.

Now I know, the whole appropriation of voodun culture and the preponderance of white, male characters makes this one problematic; however, to me that almost makes it a perfect example of rape culture and white superiority. Not what they intended but a pretty good allegory nonetheless.

A Quiet Place (2018)

Wasn't sure what to expect from this one but I was excited about it. And it did not disappoint. Sometime in the near future creatures appear that attack based on sound. Two parents do whatever is necessary to protect their children in this new and dangerous world.

The first thing you are struck by is the silence. It is almost like one of the characters itself. Speaking of characters, the acting is superb. Even the little boy is quite good. The parents are played by real life couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski and their on screen chemistry is obvious. The stand-out, however, is the daughter, Millicent Simmonds. This is only her second film but we should expect great things from her in the future. Overall an outstanding film.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) with Spiderweb Taco Dip and Chips

Musical time! A barber who was unjustly sentenced to transportation returns to London with a new name to be reunited with wife and child but discovers that his wife is dead and his daughter the ward of the judge who sentenced him. Full of bloody good fun!

Although the CGI is a bit much at the beginning, this version of the legend is quite a trip. The above song makes me a bit sad that I enjoy it so much but it is creepy good. Can't help but laugh out loud as I sing along.

Ghostbusters (2016) with Green Slime Popcorn

I know, I know. Some people hated this one. But I am not one of those people. I love the concept, I love the characters, and I love the cameos. Holtzmann is my hero; she's badass, smart as hell, and

could totally be my best friend....or maybe my girlfriend. That would be cool.

Patty and Abby are the heart of the group and Kevin, well what's not to like about Kevin?

Pretty sure most of the haters just didn't want their movie remade with women. How can they complain so much when this was Dan Aykroyd's original idea for the sequel in the first place? The dance at the end makes me laugh so hard. I would so make everyone thriller dance if I could control people's movements, wouldn't you?

IT Part 1 (2017) with Skelasagna, Eyeball Caprese, and Bread Snakes with Blood (Sangria) and Strawberry Monsters for dessert

Moved to the Eighties but still pretty close to the book, the first part of IT draws you in with the creepiness and keeps you watching for the friendships and the surprising amount of hope. Of course, there are a lot of similarities to Stranger Things that pop up, mostly because Stranger Things is in part an homage to IT and other Stephen King movies. 

Skaarsgard is not Tim Curry but he is pretty damn creepy in his own right. With a whole year to wait for the next installment, watching this can be a bit frustrating.

Well, that's it for this installment. We'll try to do this again on Halloween, if we can.

The Second Friday the 13th Horror Movie Marathon

It's that time again! We have selected horror movies old and new and a spooky selection of foods to make this a fabulous day of horror. And we are sharing it with you. I'll be posting after each movie so you can watch along.

Night of the Living Dead (1968) with Spooky Black Forest Waffles, Pigskin (Bacon) and Mimosas
The first Romero zombie movie sets the standards for the whole genre in this atmospheric thriller full of social commentary and a high amount of gore for the time period. Overall, I was impressed with the realism of human behavior in this movie. People are traumatized, arrogant, contentious, and some feel they know exactly what to do, while others try to brainstorm both best things to do and what could have possibly caused this.

I was also struck by how much technology impacted the story. The radio and TV are the primary sources of information and the survivors depend on them. Cars don't seem to help us very much either. Both scientists and politicians offer possible causes and solutions. Disease and radiation are the primary suspects with no mention made of superstitious or religious causes. For the most part, the things humans see as making us more advance are the very things that fail us: technology, government and society itself.

And of course, zombies are not mentioned because this term wasn't even in the public consciousness yet. The creatures in this movie don't even eat brains but any flesh they can get, more ghouls than zombies, and the movie calls them that. It is established here that a headshot or burning is necessary to defeat them. Oh, and these creatures are smart, too. Slow but smart and very, very determined.

As for horror standards, strong men/weak women are the primary stereotype with some exceptions. Nakedness makes a showing, as well as punishment for those who exhibit "weak" behavior like cruelty, selfishness, and doubt. Strikingly, the strongest character and most likely hero is a black man. This had to be intentional. He has most of the dialogue; he is in charge; and ultimately he is the only survivor, until the ending, where the authorities once again assume that the black man is dangerous and shoot him on sight. I feel like I only scratched the surface of a good analysis of this great film. If you've never watched it, you definitely should.


The Ballerina (2017)
Can't find a trailer on Youtube for this one, but it is an intriguing independent horror film about a girl and her father who have lost everything and now live in a tent in the swamp. She keeps seeing strange creatures in the forest trying to steal her away.

We give this one a resounding, "Meh." It wasn't terrible but it was pretty slow and forgettable. The middle was nicely creepy and atmospheric, but we figured it out quickly and the melodrama factor was far too high.

Get Out (2017) with Radioactive Wings, Ectoplasm dip (ranch), and Skin flakes (popcorn)

Undeniably one of the best movies that came out last year, not just one of the best horror movies. It was the top film for 2 whole months. Jordan Peele is a genius!

Like Night of the Living Dead, this one is strong with the social commentary. It's about race, class, oppression, and even body horror. One of my favorite parts is how the title subverts the genre itself by not being a threat but a warning. The acting is superior, especially Daniel Kaluuya. He is unbelievably expressive, intelligent and approachable. Also amazing were Lakeith Stanfield, Marcus Henderson, and Betty Gabriel.

Personally, I think it should have won not only best screenplay but also best director and best motion picture. The awkward crap that the white people keep saying is spot on. Also the brother's weird aggression, the mother's hypnosis powers and the father's awful genetic comments. But they're not "racist," right? The scenes that most impacted me were the hypnosis scene, the slave market party bidding, and pretty much every scene with Georgina. And just when you think it can't get any weirder, a mad scientist shows up. 

Oh, and don't forget Rod. He is fucking awesome. He gets all the best lines and he saves the day in the end. Don't mess with the motherfucking TSA, man!

The Executioners (2018)

The second new film of the marathon, this one begins like a bad porn movie. And then it just gets gross, gory and kind of pointless. Probably not even worth the $1.50 we paid to rent it. Watch it if torture porn and bad acting are what you are looking for.

BTW, the "cabin by the lake" is really more of a McMansion. That should have been my first clue...

The Burrowers (2008) 

Now for a Creature Feature. Starring the often underestimated Clancy Brown and William Mapother, this Western horror is surprisingly good. Begins when a family is attacked by what appears to be Native Americans and a posse sets out to find some of the missing members of the family. Along the way they discover that the Sioux are the least of their worries and that if they don't band together, the Burrowers will kill and eat them all.

 The monsters in this one remind me of Anthropophagi, man-eating creatures described in historical documents with no head and their mouths in their stomachs. The best portrayal of these creatures is in the teen novel The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey. Coincidentally we just finished reading this book together, so it was interesting to see a different take on the monster. 

Not short on social commentary either, it involves lots of cultural misunderstandings and races coming together against a common enemy. Also references the over hunting of buffalo that led to a rise in predator attacks on humans and livestock. In this case, the monsters have no buffalo to eat so they begin hunting people. As we are all seeing now, an imbalance (or several) in the ecosystem can lead to severe consequences even today. And of course the racial tensions return once the creatures are defeated. Or are they?

Oh, and dinner: Sandwich Monsters, Warm vomit (spinach and artichoke dip) with dried sharks teeth (pita chips), Devilishly rotten eggs, and Creature Cupcakes for dessert.

28 Days Later (2002)

Another zombie movie but one with fast zombies. Instead of radiation this one purposes a man-made cause - a rage disease that infects through the bloodstream. Very realistic about how the apocalypse could happen from eating junk food to the soldiers luring women to their stronghold. 

There is definitely some homage to several movies from Night of the Living Dead to Day of the Triffids. You can also see a lot of the inspiration for The Walking Dead and similar stories that are popular now. 

Oh, it doesn't hurt that Cillian Murphy spends a good part of the movie shirtless or nude. Add in other great British actors like Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, and Brendan Gleeson and you can't go wrong.

Fallen (1998)

And to end the marathon, demons! Probably one of the best movies about demon possession, filled with unexpected twists and creepy singing that sticks with you. Denzel is at the top of his game. the demon passing scene above will creep anyone out. The only part that creepier is the young woman saying "But I'm still having fun" after Denzel's character, Hobbes, shots a possessed man who tried to shoot him. If you think about this movie too much, you will freak yourself out. And you will never hear "Time is On My Side" by the Rolling Stones the same way again.

Well, that's it for the marathon this time. Join us again on July 13 for the next Horror Movie Marathon!

Jenn's Most Anticipated TV and Movies 2018

Now that the Olympics are over, it's time to discuss upcoming TV shows and movies, esp. those related to books. So, here are my top choices, Books to Movies are marked with asterix:

TV Shows

*Jessica Jones Season 2 (March 8)
I love this show and the other Marvel TV shows just don't live up to this one. Jessica Jones speaks to my inner sarcastic pessimist.

Jesus Christ Superstar Live! (April 1) 
I'm a bit worried about this one but it could be kind of fun with the cast they have put together. Either way, I'll at least give it a try.

Westworld Season 2 (April 22) 
Have to wait awhile longer since I don't have HBO but I'm very excited about seeing season 2 of this one. Time for the hosts to kick ass!

*Castle Rock 
Not sure when it premieres or when I'll get to see it, but this one definitely looks like fun.

*American Gods Season 2 
Again not sure when it will be here but looking forward to it!

Sense8 Finale Movie 
Yep, I'm here for this one, too. And very glad we are getting it.

Doctor Who Season 11 (October?) 
Of course I'm ready for this one. The wait is killing me!

Movies

*Black Panther (February 16) 
So excited about this one. And I know, it's already out, but I haven't gotten to see it yet. I just know it is awesome!

*Avengers: Infinity War (May 4) 
More Super heroes--really, though, the best part is putting them all together and seeing what happens.

*Deadpool 2 (May 18)
Can't forget the Merc with a Mouth. And this is my favorite of the teaser trailers.

Solo: A Star Wars Story (May 25)
Again, this one makes me nervous but I am trying to be optimistic.

Incredibles 2 (June 15)
All I can say is FINALLY!!!!!

*The House with a Clock in its Walls (September 21)
Based on a creepy children's book. I likes creepy...

*X-Men: Dark Phoenix (November 2)
My favorite storyline from the comics, possibly done right this time.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (November 16)
Because the first one was so awesome, surely the second will be too. And who doesn't love Jude Law as young Dumbledore.

*Mortal Engines (December 14)
Based on a series of Young Adult Dystopia novels. In the future, cities move from place to place and take each other down!

Bohemian Rhapsody (December 25)
I'm not usually excited about biopics but Freddy Mercury was awesome and Rami Malek looks just like him!

So, what movies are you looking forward to?