Spook Out! Day 11 ~ Fright Night (2011)

IMDb Says...

"When a nice new neighbor moves in next door, Charley discovers that he is an ancient vampire who preys on the community. Can he save his neighborhood from the creature with the help of the famous "vampire killer," Peter Vincent?"

I Say...
^Correct, and also, this is a remake of the 1985 film of the same name (which I love).

Horror Type...
Vampires, Comedic Horror

Main Players...

Anton Yelchin (RIP) as Charley Brewster (He's So Cool)

Colin Farrell as Jerry (Brutish Vampire)

David Tennant as Peter Vincent (Reluctant Slayer)

I liked...

• the things they opted to keep from the original movie (Jerry's chomping on apples, "You're so cool, Brewster!", the nightclub scene btw Amy & Jerry, are some)
• the things that were different from the original (the pacing and intensity were fast and high throughout the movie, some really great LOL moments, that Charley's mom was more involved)
• that it had me holding my breath more than once for all the dramatic tension
• the pathos of a pivotal moment btw Charley and former bff "Evil Ed"
• how at one point, Jerry circumvents traditional vampire rules to spectacular effect
• Chris Sarandon's cameo ~ he originated the role of Jerry Dandrige in '85 and here appears as Jay Dee (geddit, geddit???), a hapless motorist (who's still hot af, RAWR)
• the final confrontation, which is just as special as in the OG flick

The Meh...

• Jerry's weird little monologue when he pops over to "borrow" a six-pack of beer (I mean, arguably, it reveals Jerry's character and predatory nature, but the writing was just weird to me)
• this Jerry can be charming but often isn't--he's more of a brutish thug than seducer, as OG Jerry was (though he was still formidable, his elegance notwithstanding)
• this Amy (who seems a lot more savvy than the 1985 Amy) doesn't get to choose something important, the way OG Amy did, she's forced into it (bc, again, this Jerry's a thug)

Would I recommend it...?

I surely would! This is another re-watch for me and, in some ways, I almost find this a better film than the OG because it's a bit less camp, more action-packed, and allows the mom to figure more prominently and be heroic (which teen flicks don't often do). BUT I do prefer the OG Jerry to this one.

Miscellany...

Learning there'd be a remake made me feel uneasy and annoyed--I deemed it just another cash grab and prepared myself to hate it (though, for some reason, I don't take issue with song covers, the way I do with movie and TV remakes). Then I read some article about the folks who worked on the 2011 film, including Colin Farrell, who spoke of loving the OG Fright Night, having grown up with it themselves, and feeling honor-bound to do it justice. And I unclenched and thought maybe it'd be OK. And it was!

Ratings...

My Grade: A-

Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Tomatometer=72%, Audience Score=59%

Details, Schmeetails...

I Watched Fright Night (2011) on Amazon (the Rotten Tomatoes page linked above provides links to other streaming platforms)

Check it out on IMDb

Learn more about it on Wikipedia (Contains Spoilers)

This concludes Day 11 of

Thanks for reading and come back tomorrow...

IF YOU DARE

Spook Out! Day 10 ~ Fido (2006)

Amazon Says...
"When Timmy's mom brings home a zombie servant, he discovers a new best friend and is determined to keep him, even if his zombie ate the next-door neighbor."

I Say...
I mean, stuff happens, amiright?

Horror Type...
Zombies, Horror Comedy, Alternative History

Main Players...
K'Sun Ray as Timmy Robinson (Bully Fodder)

Billy Connolly as Fido (Boy's Best Zombie-Friend)

Carrie-Anne Moss as Helen Robinson (Quintessential 50s Mom)

I liked...

• how wonderfully stylized this revisionist version of the '50s looks, from the gorgeous ladies' fashions, to the vividly technicolored decor of the main family's house. It puts me in mind of the carefully cultivated, suburban fantasyland Tim Burton created for Edward Scissorhands, only perhaps a little sharper. The artistic backdrop and framing of certain scenes, too, were reminiscent of older creature-features (for example, when someone "turns" in front of a huge moon--just gorgeous)
• Carrie-Anne Moss' portrayal of a perfectly coiffured, gracious homemaker who's also fully prepared to put down zombies when needed. Helen Robinson: have accelerant – will travel
• Sir Billy Connolly's masterful work as the titular zombie, Fido. It's a testament to his comedic genius how much he's able to convey with only looks and groans
• an idea they played with, of zombies' abilities to control their violently ravenous impulses after significant and prolonged positive interaction with the living (a theme Warm Bodies would expand upon a few years later)
• that the jokes and gags just spank along, one after another, throughout the movie. Some highlights include:
• "Outdoor Education," in which elementary school-aged kids enjoy rifle practice while chanting, "In the brain and not the chest, headshots are the very best."
• Helen to Fido--"...why aren't you eating me???"/Fido to Helen--::makes moon eyes::
• Timmy's Dad to Timmy--"I know you're not supposed to have a handgun (beat) till you're twelve..."

The Meh...

One of Timmy's neighbors, Mr. Theopolis, "owns" a female zombie who's totally not his girlfriend--except she kind of is, and though it's not a major plotline, it's still pretty squicky when Theopolis tells her to stop her habitual chomping by saying, "Not the teeth, Tammy." 🤢

Would I recommend it...?

One hundred percent! This well-paced laugh riot has earned a place on my top fave movies list. Folks wanting hardcore horror should look elsewhere, as there's a little zombie violence and a wee bit of gore but probably not enough to satisfy them.

Miscellany...

I've just realized this is the third zombie movie I've reviewed for this year's Spook Out! (and the second zom-com!). Not sure if there're any more--I try not to dig too deeply into the stuff I review before watching, so it's possible...

Ratings...

My Grade: A-

Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Tomatometer=73%, Audience Score=72%

Details, Schmeetails...

I Watched Fido on Amazon (the Rotten Tomatoes page linked above provides links to other streaming platforms)

Check it out on IMDb

Learn more about it on Wikipedia (Contains Spoilers)

This concludes Day 10 of

Thanks for reading and come back tomorrow...

IF YOU DARE

Spook Out! Day 9 ~ The Descent (2005)

Amazon Says...
"A girls' trip to explore a labyrinth of North Carolina caves takes a terrifying turn in this spelunking scarefest."

I Say...
The "girls' trip" descriptor annoys me but otherwise, Amazon's correct.

Horror Type...
Creature Feature, Action

Main Players...

Shauna Macdonald as Sarah (Grieving Survivor)

Natalie Mendoza as Juno (Lara Croft's Evil Twin)

Alex Reid as Beth (Stalwart BFF)

I liked...

• how the movie shakes you up pretty soon near the start, in a wholly unexpected way
• that this film showcased six badass gals just being badasses, without passing commentary along the lines of how impressive it is that women can do these physically demanding feats. They just did their thing bc that's what they like to do, all matter-of-fact, tough, and competent, and that's just that (like that scene when they all have to get across a sickeningly deep chasm--dang!)
• how, despite the trauma she's endured, Sarah's still a fighter with a will to live
• Beth and Sarah's deep, true friendship
• the complexity of the movie's main antagonist--by which I don't mean the feature's creatures (aka Crawlers), but gal-pal Juno. She's, pardon the expression, that bitch who's perky af first thing in the morning and can freaking stretch her body into positions that'd make a pole dancer blush. She's also a duplicitous, self-interested, manipulative character who is yet weirdly honorable (or perhaps just guilt-driven, but the ability to feel guilt and let it motivate you to do good is--in my opinion--underrated), amazingly fit and fearless, and a BAMF fighter when she's gotta be. I hate her frickin guts but begrudgingly respect her. In short, Juno's hella compelling and Natalie Mendoza shoulda won a shit-ton of awards for her work in this, but didn't (nor did any of the gals in this film) bc there's no justice in this world
• that the movie completely avoids being male-gazey--bravo, and I mean that most sincerely

The Meh...

• I mean, they're in caves, so it's frigging dark and hard to see stuff and understand what's going on, like with found-footage flicks. When a movie spends too much time in crappy lighting, I get all bored and reach for my cell and miss stuff and have to go back and waste time catching up--ugh
• the movie starts with some of the gals whitewater rafting and they're screaming a lot and it's high-pitched and cuts through my temples and blerch
• I find the basic idea of the movie a bit classist--these folks can afford regular adventure vacations (and all the requisite gear) and they opt to put themselves in dangerous and difficult situations for kicks (I feel this way about movies with all male casts who do this kind of thing as well). So many people have to do hard and harrowing work so as to provide for themselves and their families and don't get paid enough to be able to take annual vacations--and if they can afford one in a given year, they're sure as shit not risking their lives and potentially putting others to the trouble, danger, and expense of rescuing them. I have to admit, the privilege inherent in this premise somewhat dims my enjoyment of the movie...

Would I recommend it...?

My third Meh bullet notwithstanding, I would, bc it really is a fantastic thriller. And those Crawlers are the stuff of nightmares--I held my breath often as I watched, lest they hear me and tear through the screen, lol. Not recommended for the faint-of-heart and/or folks suffering from claustro-, acro-, or nyctophobia.

Miscellany...

My grades are, of course, subjective but in the case of The Descent I do appreciate it intellectually/objectively in a way that I can't fully do emotionally/subjectively--and my grade reflects this ambivalence. However, dear Readers, I felt y'all should have access to reviews that wholeheartedly endorse the movie, so here are a couple of podcasts you can listen to, if you're interested:

The Horror Virgin Podcast, Episode 28: The Descent

The Faculty of Horror Podcast, Episode 47. Caved In: The Descent (2005)

Ratings...

My Grade: B+

Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Tomatometer=85%, Audience Score=76%

Details, Schmeetails...

I Watched The Descent on Amazon (the Rotten Tomatoes page linked above provides links to other streaming platforms)

Check it out on IMDb

Learn more about it on Wikipedia (Contains Spoilers)

This concludes Day 9 of

Thanks for reading and come back tomorrow...

IF YOU DARE

Spook Out! Day 8 ~ The Dead Don't Die (2019)

IMDb Says...

"The peaceful town of Centerville finds itself battling a zombie horde as the dead start rising from their graves."

I Say...
"Battling" may be too strong a word...

Horror Type...
Zombies, Zombie Apocalypse, Horror Comedy

Main Players...

Bill Murray as Chief Cliff Robertson (Way Past Retirement)

Adam Driver as Officer Ronnie Peterson (Stoic Copper)

Tom Waits as Hermit Bob (Finger-Licken Narrator)

I liked...

• the humor ~ this, my new deadpan delight! So dry, you need a saline drip and a gallon of water to genteely sip as you watch
• the matter-of-fact way folks accept this is a zombie outbreak--none of the pesky incomprehension or disbelief you encounter in so many other horror movies
• how the convention of horror-as-social commentary plays out here--with the cause of the outbreak being polar fracking
• all the weird little hints and details that presage disaster
• that the thing that motivates the movements of the first two revenants we see is coffee #relatable
• how something about the lighting, especially the outside night-time shots, coupled with the deliberate pacing creeps me out (add to these the oncoming shamblers and I'm really spooked!)
• the fabulous ensemble cast--so many great cameos!

The Meh...(thar be spoilers here, arr...)

• one of the best characters gets deus-ex-machina'd away as things are getting really bad
• whatever became of the kids from the facility??? (As a mom, "kids in peril" WIGS ME OUT and I can't stand not knowing whether they're OK.)
• was the only point of introducing the "infernal hipsters, with their irony" to set up that sublime quote???

Would I recommend it...?

If you've been following my blog, you'll know that horror comedies are my catnip, so heck yes I would! The stuff I list in The Meh frustrates me BUT I looooooove the humor, so freaking much, that I can't wait to watch it again. This is pleasurably scary, for me, though it'd probably not impress hardcore horror fans unless they also appreciate absurdist chuckles. I think the faint of heart could watch this comfortably--and it's worth it, for the lols.

Miscellany...

The Dead Don't Die invites controversy. This is director Jim Jarmusch's first zombie movie (and my first experience of his work), which apparently doesn't make a difference to him as to how he's going to tell a story--to paraphrase one podcaster, if it'd been made any other way, it wouldn't be a Jim Jarmusch movie (which, in part, seemed to echo my complaint about characters introduced for no apparent reason, or plotlines that don't go anywhere). One reviewer, who digs the flick, still referred to it as "a self-righteous allegory for climate change", though another benignly calls it "folksy and friendly entertainment, while yet another says this is just Jarmusch doodling half-heartedly. Some think he's satirizing satirical zombie movies bc he hates them. Well, he doesn't--though he does hate zombies. Whatever, man; he's just a guy having fun making a goofy zombie movie, while slipping in a warning about the planet's future, is that so wrong???

Ratings...

My Grade: B+

Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Tomatometer=54%, Audience Score=38%

Details, Schmeetails...

I Watched The Dead Don't Die on Amazon (the Rotten Tomatoes page linked above provides links to other streaming platforms)

Check it out on IMDb

Learn more about it on Wikipedia (Contains Spoilers)

This concludes Day 8 of

Thanks for reading and come back tomorrow...

IF YOU DARE

Spook Out! Day 7 ~ Color Out of Space (2019)

Shudder Says...
"After a meteorite lands in their front yard, Nathan Gardner and his family find themselves battling an extraterrestrial organism as it infects their minds and bodies, and turns their lives into a living nightmare."

I Say...
Shudder nailed it.

Horror Type...
Cosmic Horror, Sci-Fi

Main Players...

Nicolas Cage as Nathan (Daddy with Issues)

Joely Richardson as Theresa (Mommy with Issues)

Madeleine Arthur as Lavinia Gardner (Extremely Annoying Teen)

I liked...

• Tommy Chong's supporting role as a...can you guess? Yes, that's right--a stoner! (Quelle surprise...)
• the creative insults Benny hurls at his sister Lavinia (who deserves them a thousand percent)
• the surveyor, Ward Phillips, who's a smart young man
• the use of colored lights throughout the film, to convey the otherworldly
• that Lavinia owns a book called Necronomicon (which is a little nod to H.P. Lovecraft, whose short story, The Colour out of Space, is the basis for this film)

The Meh...

• I found some of the main characters incredibly unlikeable (the parents, the daughter)--and that's before the color out of space crashed onto their property. They only grow exponentially worse.
• also from the jump, I felt like Cage and Richardson had bad chemistry together. I appreciate that, as a family, their characters have been through quite a bit within the past year or so, but still. They were just majorly off-putting, as a couple.
• at the 25 minute mark I felt like something was off about the movie itself, and at 33 minutes started losing interest. I'm amazed that a movie with so much of the fantastically weird in it could be so...well, boring. Also, at nearly two hours, it's WAY TOO FRIGGING LONG.
• again, I know that the meteor (and whatever came with it) negatively impacted the family's behavior, BUT the parents had gone to a hospital and been away a while, then returned home to find their pain-in-the-ass kids in a state of panic. But in stereotypical horror-movie-parent-fashion, they completely ignored them. My dudes, the spawn of my very own loins drove me crazy all through his middle and high school years, but if he ever approached me in any kind of distress, you'd best believe I gave him my full attention and did my best to help him.
• Nick Cage, man. I heart him, I really do. I've seen his gonzo rants in other flicks and quite enjoyed them. Here, not so much (OK, the one tantrum in the car I liked)

Would I recommend it...?

...not really. Not if you're sober. I bet I'd have enjoyed it a heck of a lot more if I were under the influence of something Tommy Chong might have tucked up in his beard. Frankly, I'm baffled that this movie's done so well with critics and audiences. Baffled! Instead, I'd point you toward a different Nick Cage horror movie, in which parents are also complete dicks dangers to their kids, that is better written, faster paced, and in general, far superior: Mom and Dad (which did not fare so well with critics/audiences, bc apparently up is down, day is night, and who tf knows why ::exasperated shrugs::).

Miscellany...

After seeing this movie, I felt compelled to re-read the original Lovecraft tale, as it'd been a while--and I have to say, the source material so outclasses this script, it's depressing what was done in its name. I enjoy movie adaptations, just as I enjoy song covers (the wackier, the better, so long as they've got a good beat and I can dance to 'em), and I don't need them to match the OG works completely. But I feel like this particular story should've been kept in its era and told more faithfully--and Cage, bless him, should've been directed to be more watchful (as the dad in the short story was) and less bombastic.

Ratings...

My Grade: C

Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Tomatometer=86%, Audience Score=82%

Details, Schmeetails...

I Watched Color Out of Space on Shudder (the Rotten Tomatoes page linked above provides links to other streaming platforms)

Check it out on IMDb

Learn more about it on Wikipedia (Contains Spoilers)

This concludes Day 7 of

Thanks for reading and come back tomorrow...

IF YOU DARE

Spook Out! Day 6 ~ Bulbbul (in Hindi w/English subtitles, 2020)

Netflix Says...
"A child bride grows up to be an enigmatic woman presiding over her household, harboring a painful past as supernatural murders of men plague her village."

I Say...
I'd consider it less "plague" and more "purge" but I'm getting ahead of myself...

Horror Type...
Supernatural, Dark Fantasy, Fable

Main Players...
Tripti Dimri as Bulbbul (BAMF Bride)

Paoli Dam as Binodini (Bitch Sister-in-Law)

Parambrata Chattopadhyay as Dr. Sudip (A Doctor & A Gentleman)

I liked...

• how this baby sucked me in and spat me out when it was through with me. It's a richly woven tapestry of a tale, an emotional rollercoaster ride I won't soon forget
• that this film is a proper feast for the eyes, from the gorgeously animated opening credits, to the use of colors in the clothing and decor, to the palatial digs Bulbbul calls home. Truly stunning.
• the fabulous soundtrack that, to me, acted a little bit like a Greek chorus
• the titular character, Bulbbul, very much--from the way she oh, so elegantly returned her bitch sister-in-law's snarks to how she gave big, rolling belly-laughs every time the Demon-Woman was referenced, to her care for the well-being of the innocents in her realm. Rock on, Bulbbul!!!
• that, out of all the awful men in this, the movie gave us one to like (Bulbbul's actual love interest, Satya) and one to admire (Dr. Sudip, who offers the best line of the film: "She's not a demon. She's a goddess!" F-yeah, Dr. Sudip!)
• how this feels, to me, like an origin story for a badass female vigilante super-hero (I'd love more of Bulbbul!)

The Meh...

• this bullet contains hidden trigger warnings for violence against women, and spoilers--just double click to select the space between the two sets of colons to see them :: As everyone knows, vigilante heroes aren't born of fluffy pink clouds and rainbows. Around the 54 minute mark, Bulbbul is savagely beaten by her fireplace-poker wielding husband (we see him swinging the poker and her reacting to being hit--this is more or less finished a little after the 56 minute mark). Shortly after Dr. Sudip treats her, Bulbbul's brother-in-law (her husband's twin, who is mentally challenged) goes to her, in the dark of night, and while she's incapable of moving, rapes her (from 1 hour, 6 minutes till about 1 hour, 9 minutes--we see him on top of her, reach down to unzip his pants, and move against her). Both instances are horrible to watch. Are they gratuitous? I don't know...some moments I think they could've shown more for shock effect, if they'd wanted to. Others, I wonder if it's OK that the beating scene reminded me of the colorful violence in the 300 movie. So I'm not sure, for myself, if it was too much. I reckon we'll all have to decide for ourselves. ::
• that flipping bitch sister-in-law--WHAT a piece of work!

Would I recommend it...?

Well...this one's hard for me to categorize. On the one hand, it's really an excellent movie, and I don't regret watching it. On the other, if I'd known about the stuff in the spoilers above, I might've opted for something else. I have a very hard time with realistic violence against women, and children, and tend to avoid movies, TV, or books with it, if I can. If you're also sensitive to this kind of thing, you could screen the flick and just fast-forward at the minute marks I mention in the spoilers. Fundamentally, it's worth watching and will make you think...but it may stay with you for a while...

Miscellany...

I've got a wee bit of a crush on Dr. Sudip--anybody got his number?

Ratings...

My Grade: A as a Dark Fantasy/Drama, B+ as a "Horror Movie" (though there's a LOT to the movie that's horrific)

Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Tomatometer=82%, Audience Score=80%

Details, Schmeetails...

Watch Bulbbul on Netflix

Check it out on IMDb

Learn more about it on Wikipedia (Contains Spoilers)

This concludes Day 6 of

Thanks for reading and come back tomorrow...

IF YOU DARE

Spook Out! Day 5 ~ Arachnophobia (1990)

Amazon Says...
"An unexpected guest causes a web of chaos."

I Say...
More like web of deaths. Also, surprisingly succinct, Amazon. Nice job.

Horror Type...
Comedy Horror, Creature Feature

Main Players...

Jeff Daniels as Ross Jennings (Determined Doc)

Harley Jane Kozak as Molly Jennings (Sensible Spouse)

Julian Sands as Dr. James Atherton (Arachnid Aficionado)

I liked...

• how it engrossed me straight away, and not just bc of Julian Sands being all smoldery British sexy W00F (le rawr freakin RAWR)
• that when we meet Ross and Molly, we learn pretty quickly why everything that's about to go down is the worst possible thing Ross could ever have to deal with, but also,
• that Ross deals with it all like a friggin boss
• the bits of foreshadowing, delicately sprinkled here and there, so subtle you might miss them
• how Ross, et al (once the locals stop crapping on him for being a city-slicking outsider), methodically investigate and process the clues, making this flick almost equal parts small-town drama, creature-feature, and police procedural--leading to disaster-movie-level danger
• the humor--some stuff made me LOL, even if it was patented late '80s cheese, bc...
• the scares! Spiders fixing to drop on you when you're showering? Or climbing up from the toilet just when you've settled in for a good read? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!

The Meh...

• the pacing was mostly good, but it was definitely a slow burn and could've been edited down at least ten minutes or so without losing anything important
• that smarmy, shitty soundtrack. Le suck.

Would I recommend it...?

I would, though I wonder if a lot of my love for this movie stems from nostalgia...perhaps younger audiences wouldn't be too into it? It's heavy on the creep factor and does have a few jump scares (one had me catching my breath and goosebumpy), though if spiders don't wig you out as they do me, you might consider it a bit tame for a horror movie...

Miscellany...

• This is a re-watch for me, and I've always had the warm and fuzzies for Arachnophobia. In the first place, bc I adore comedic horror, but mainly because of the era it captures (despite the crappy music and, I'm sorry, the UGLY dresses on the townies and the boxy tops Molly wears--UGH). I'd pretty much forgotten everything except for Jeff Daniels, John Goodman (hilarious), and spiders. Loved sinking into it again today. 💜
• Curiously, I came upon a spider's web today, in my parents' garden. A big one, spanning across a little path between beanstalks. Something curled up and brown was caught up in that thing, hard to tell what...hmmm...I'm sure it's just a coincidence.

Ratings...

My Grade: A-, though I admit that nostalgia-colored glasses nudged it up from a B+

Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Tomatometer=92%, Audience Score=54%

Details, Schmeetails...

I Watched Arachnophobia on Amazon (the Rotten Tomatoes page linked above provides links to other streaming platforms)

Check it out on IMDb

Learn more about it on Wikipedia (Contains Spoilers)

This concludes Day 5 of

Thanks for reading and come back tomorrow...

IF YOU DARE