Now here's where Dio makes a huge confession: here's a list of horror, halloweeny movies I haven't seen yet. XD;;; Earlier this week, we focused on ones I traditionally love to watch, so I made a quick list of movies i've always wanted to see but haven't yet.
Good thing I got Netflix.
Event Horizon
I've never seen this cult classic sci fi film, and I've been told its a really great sci fi horror film. I can't imagine why I haven't yet, seeing as how it has some familiar, favorite actors like Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill.
I have been told that if I liked The Thing that this would appeal to me, and with much less dog mutilation. XD;;;
Apparently it had a trouble production and was rushed, and there's some lost footage that will likely never be seen ever again, and I can't say that also doesn't make this film appeal to me. But then I'm kinda a snoop when it comes to troubled movie productions. Sometimes the story of how a film is made is highly fascinating.
Though the same can't be said for The Disaster Artist.
Dog Soldiers
I gotta say, hearing the premise of the film, it sounded kinda ridiculous: a platoon of soldiers in the Scottish highlands are attacked by werewolves. Cut and dry, and frankly, kinda ultra-low budget.
Thankfully, I was dead, DEAD wrong after watching a retrospect by Oliver Harper, where he breaks down the film, the production and the execution of the film, which turns out looks actually pretty damn good. I'm not saying this thing is gonna be Oscar worthy or even Oscarbatory, but I do see that I'm going to enjoy giving it a chance. The make up effects look pretty damn good, the cinematography looks solid, and the acting, from the excerpts I've seen, actually are pretty likable.
It looks like its gonna be a little challenge to find a good copy, but you can bet I'm going to do my best to get the best possible copy I can to enjoy it.
Candyman
Decon's already hoisted me on a petard for not watching one of his favorite horror flicks, but you can't blame me. When i was a kid, everyone told the Candyman story like it was the new Bloody Mary, and I can say I've always been too puss to do either of those little mirror games.
AND BEES. FUCK BEES, MAN.
But between the sheer recommendations of Philip Glass' genius in the score, and the overall texture of a gothic horror film than a classic stalker killer movie, I can say its got me interested. Its all about the execution and I have to say I like the recommendation of it, and really, Decon hasn't really steered me wrong when it comes to recommendations. I'm willing to give Clive Barker another chance....though I'm still scarred from Hellraiser @_@.
In the Mouth of Madness
I guess you could say I'm a Sam Neill fan. XD But what's not to be interested in this Lovecraftian romp through John Carpenter's hands. In case you haven't noticed...I AM A HUGE JOHN CARPENTER FAN. I love his music, I love his cinematography and I love the fact he just gives no fucks ever. XD
This film is basically a huge stock of H.P. Lovecraft, with a decent dash of Silent Hill, a sprinkling of some plot points from the J-horror Ring novel series, and simmered over low heat for a couple hours, with Sam Neill playing a an insurance investigator who is sent to investigate Sutter Cane, a novelist who went missing, and whose books influence its readers. I don't have to tell you how fast this sinks into Nopesville, but since its part of Carptenter's Apocalypse trilogy with The Thing and Prince of Darkness, it should come as no surprise how dark it goes. Its been on my to-watch list for years.
A Quiet Place
A friend recommended this one to me. Probably the most recent on the list, A Quiet Place had a really interesting premise to it. Invisible, armored creatures kill anything that makes a noise, so a family has to try to survive in the world in as much silence as possible. Add in a generous helping of family problems on top of that, and it sounds like a good horror drama in the vein of Train to Busan.
What appeals to me is the whole concept of the idea. Where sound is the enemy, you have to tread lightly, figuratively and literally. The hiring of a deaf actress was also a really smart play.
I'm looking forward to checking this gem out.
The Video Dead
Another recommendation from Decon, The Video Dead isn't a grand play at the zombie genre, but an interesting slant to it. Zombies spawn from the television itself from an unending zombie film. If The Ring and Poltergeist haven't scared you away from the tube, this just might....not make you more afraid, but its food for thought. XD
Its cheaply made, acted hilariously bad sometimes, but has its decaying heart in the right place. Its likely one I'm going to have as background, more than a night with popcorn.
The cover is pretty creepy though, so I'll give it a few more points for that.
Sadako Vs Kayako
I haven't yet seen this J-horror homerun derby, and believe me, its been on my to-watch list for awhile. Look, I'm not claiming this to be the end all, be all J-horror film of all time, but I am looking for my girls Sadako and Kayako throw down on some helpless japanese people. I can't say its a fetish, but I'd be lying if i didn't say the idea wasn't provocative.
Who hasn't wondered which of the yuurei powerhouses would wreck more shit? I mean, both yuurei's raison d'etre is to watch humanity burn.
All I care about is watching these broken bodies crawl their way through terrified humans and leaving plenty of misshapen corpses and an army of victims in tow. I can't wait. 8D
House (Hausu)
I admit, I've been sitting on the Criterion Collection dvd of this film for years. Its not as if I haven't wanted to watch it. For classic j-horror movies, its one that I've been told I really need to watch, for its almost comical attempts at giallo and haunted house conventions and amateur acting, as well as the hysterically bad green screen effects.
I mean really, I have no idea why I haven't watched it yet either. XD;;;
If the poster if of any indication, a cat is heavily involved in this film where a house eats young girls. I don't know. i just know this is the film that has a girl getting her green-screened fingers bitten off by a possessed piano.
If that isn't amusing in its own right, I don't know what is.
Frankenweenie
I haven't seen this film yet, which makes me sad as it seems like a really good film as it is. I haven't seen the short film its based on, and I wonder how a short film could be expanded to a full length feature, but then, George Lucas did the same with THX and its George Lucas.
.....I realize that last statement bears no real relevance nor proof of anything, so let's move on. 8D
I'm a dog person, so if Isle of Dogs is of any indication, and children's movie involving dogs is going to make me cry buckets.
My tear ducts are ready, Tim Burton. Let's rock.
Uzumaki (Spiral)
A live action film based on the tour de force manga sounds right up my alley. I'm curious about its narrative in line with the manga. The original manga had a lot of stories that, while they happen in chronological order of the downward spiral of the film, could be trimmed out in favor of the over arching story of the town being devoured by spirals. Though the trailers and clips I've seen hit the more pertinent portions of the story as well as the most iconic, such as the cremation cloud, the spirals of hair and of course snails, I'm most curious to see what made it into the movie and what didn't.
I heard the ending was slightly modified from the manga, so I'm also curious to see where that goes too. Of course since its junji Ito, I'm so ready for the crazy body horror within.
Ok, no I'm not. 8D;;;;
Rosemary's Baby
Now onto the final 3, arguably known as the horror movie essential trilogy, and I HAVEN'T SEEN A SINGLE ONE. 8D;;;;
In order of cradle to grave, let's start with Rosemary's Baby, the beginning of what we would term "apocalypse babies". As a person, I dislike Roman Polanski intensely for reasons that are obvious, but even I can see a quality film when I see it. If I only watch one of his films, I don't mind this being it. The cinematography, the acting from Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes, the mood and atmosphere to the narrative of a beleaguered expecting mother who just may be carrying the anti-christ. Everything adds up into a classic film that makes you want more.
Makes The Hand that Rocks the Cradle seem like Kindergarten Cop.
The Omen
What happens after the anti-christ is born? Damien is what happens. Without this film, you wouldn't have parents considering the possibilities of naming a child Damien, owning rottweilers, or wanting to be anywhere near creepy nannies or panes of glass.
Best Gregory Peck movie ever? Y/Y
Every reference to demon children, humorous or not has come from this film, and it is a crime, A CRIME I SAY, that I haven't seen this film yet. If I can only catch one film from this list before the halloween season is up, I'm gonna do my damnedest to make sure its this one.
The Exorcist
Last and certainly not least, is the epic based off William Peter Blatty's novel of the same name. Known by many to be the scariest movie ever made, its no surprise I haven't taken the plunge yet. After all, when it comes to horror films, this is the end all, be all horror films to ever have been made, and it still scares people to this day.
I have a list of movies I could only watch once, and its likely after viewing The Exorcist, that it will make that list, but until then, I'm gonna get my big girl pants ready for the spider walking, projectile vomiting, priest tossed down stairs-ing, Pazuzu sneering, terror fest its got in store for
me.
A fun fact, the infamous poster is based on the Rene Magritte paintings called "The Empire of Light", which shows a street light illuminated in broad daylight.
Well, there's my list...with such a small amount of time remaining, I better get on that soon. XD
--Dio (10/20/18)