I've been meaning to see Apostle. I started watching it but bailed after about 15 minutes because I wasn't in the right mood.
Another one I've been meaning to see is the new Suspiria.
This isn't a Halloween type horror movie but is good nonetheless: The Invitation. It's on Netflix.
One that I was surprised by was The Devil's Candy; better than I thought it would be.
Speaking of slow burns, there's a Netflix original that's like nothing I've ever seen before. I remember the story being a little convoluted; maybe a story within a story. I don't remember it being creepy or scary but it definitely got under my skin and stayed with me for days afterward. I should watch it again:
Another slow burn is A Dark Song. It's a pretty unique movie, in a certain way. I've watched it a couple times and I liked it as much the second time, altho it's not without a fault or two (in fact, don't think about it too much; just go along for the ride). It's not available on Netflix and it isn't free on Prime but is only $1.99 to rent. It stayed with me for a while, too:
My go-to Halloween movie since it was released is The VVitch. It's on Netflix. I should say, tho, I think I got a lot more enjoyment out of it knowing the background of the Salem Witch Trials; the psychology (or hysteria) of it all, which is based on medieval superstitions brought over from Europe (I love that shit):
I should point out that after seeing Room 237 last year, The Shining has become another Halloween favorite. I mean, I always thought it was great - it used to be my favorite movie 30some years ago - but I never realized how brilliant it was.
Another one I really like is The Ninth Gate (1999) with Johnny Depp. Nothing really creepy or scary but I'm a sucker for those kind of movies that have witch covens or Satanic cults at the heart of the story. It's why I like the song "Black Sabbath" so much. It has that same vibe.
I haven't celebrated Halloween since I was a kid but I love that time of year. Cool nights and supernatural movies... with the lights off, of course, and your significant other snuggled up next to you. What's not to love?
“From thirty feet away she looked like a lot of class. From ten feet away she looked like something made up to be seen from thirty feet away.” – Philip Marlowe
I saw The Witch when it first came out in the theater. I was a little bit disappointed in the ending (but then again, how do you end something like that), but it was a pretty amazingly acted, written and filmed. I need to go back and watch it again.
The movie looks dreadful -- I hate all that kind of witchcraft / supernatural mumbo-jumbo -- but the soundtrack sounds wonderful. Is it available separately???
[Edit Ah yes. Bandcamp.]
We watched Event Horizon tonight - my wife loves that piece of shit. I just nod and go along.
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down.'- Bob Newhart
A few great horror recs -
Kill List
Brit film about two hitmen and a satanic cult.Dark, scary and violent
It Follows
Stylish, creepy, fun and brilliant.
Hereditary
Satanism in a dysfunctional family. Really dark & scary.
no tunes, no dynamics, no nosebone
"Who would have thought a whale would be so heavy?" - Moe Sizlak
Checking for many of these Horror titles on Prime, they look really good, but most are only available for rent. Early on, it seemed like almost everything was included with Prime.
Gonna see this when it comes to to a movie theatre near me!!!
All the scuttlebutt about this is positive.Bong Joon-Ho, the director and screenwriter,also did Snowpiercer(among others)
Parasite.
"please do not understand me too quickly"-andre gide
I must admit, my one caveat is that the ending could have been a little better.
I really liked it... up to a point. I thought it kind of fell apart sometime in the third act.
I don't think you'll ever find a Netflix original on Prime, now or ever. And vice versa.
As I try to tell a lot of people, Netflix allows streaming to more than one device, depending on the plan. Standard ($13/mo) allows 2 simultaneous streams in HD and Premium ($16/mo) allows 4, some even in 4K. So, if you have a relative or a good friend with the Standard plan, you could give them $3/mo for them to upgrade to Premium and you'd have Netflix, too. You'd just need their login.
My brother has Premium but only three people in his household so I'm the 4th... and I pay nothing. He also added me to their Prime account, which allows 2 simultaneous streams. Again, I pay nothing. And geography doesn't matter; he lives in the Phoenix area and I'm in Ohio.
And here's something else to consider: most cable and premium channels (e.g. HBO) now have online streaming available and they don't have limits. You could, conceivably, share the cost of cable and/or premium channels with someone. You just wouldn't have the capability to record anything on a DVR and are also limited to when you could watch live streaming. But, depending on the channel, streams are available after the show airs. For example, the stream for an episode of Game of Thrones was up on HBO's website as soon as it finished. And it appears that once it's up, it stays up. I watched all three seasons of The Newsroom and the miniseries Chernobyl this way. And I watch some sporting events on ESPN and FoxSports this way, too.
In essence, I have ŕ la carte cable, premium, and streaming TV and pay nothing for it. Lucky son-of-a-bitch, aren't I?
“From thirty feet away she looked like a lot of class. From ten feet away she looked like something made up to be seen from thirty feet away.” – Philip Marlowe
The VVitch is now a Halloween staple for me too. I even love the ending. Some good ones you mention and I'd add Trick R Treat and Tales of Halloween as some fun ones to watch in October. Both have many stories in one and get into the lore of the holiday.
Regarding Apostle it takes a while to get going, but it gets going! I really loved the last 45 mins.
"Who would have thought a whale would be so heavy?" - Moe Sizlak
I love the ambiguous nature of that ending.
Wouldst thou like the taste of butter? A pretty dress? Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down.'- Bob Newhart
Watched Ghidorah, The Three Headed Monster again last night. Still a great kaiju picture, and King Ghidorah still represents a high watermark in special effects.
Good to know. It piqued my interest when it was released but I was definitely in the wrong frame of mind when I started watching it.
You thought it was ambiguous? I took it literally. But it's the last 10 seconds that gave me pause. It's a 4 star movie up to that point, imo. But I've never seen a perfect movie, either, so it's certainly something I can easily overlook.
Best line of the movie!Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?
[SPOILER] In fact, that whole scene is one of my favorite denouements ever. Jesus, the way Black Philip attacked the father... he fucked him up! lol
“From thirty feet away she looked like a lot of class. From ten feet away she looked like something made up to be seen from thirty feet away.” – Philip Marlowe
The Lodgers
Gothic haunted house story set in 1920's Ireland. Damn man, I so wanted to like this because it has a great setting, great atmosphere, good acting and I was in the mood for a nice haunted house tale I haven't seen yet, but ultimately what started off a very interesting story fizzled out and faded away. The low budget hurt this one too. My opinion of course and I'd love to hear other opinions, but I was let down...especially with how it finished up.
4 out of 10 frustrated Klonks
"Who would have thought a whale would be so heavy?" - Moe Sizlak
Finally saw the '50s The Thing from Another World. I can see why people then found it scary, but I kind of laughed.
But it has two great lines (both given to Scott the reporter):
"An intellectual carrot? The mind boggles!"
and
"This is a warning. Look to the skies. Keep watching the skies."
Cobra handling and cocaine use are a bad mix.
Joker. Just watched it. Brilliant.
Have to say watching it at BFI IMAX in London it was a very visceral, immersive experience. At times it reminded me of the look of Kubricks The Shining, also One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest, and inevitably King Of Comedy.
Phoenix is utterly extraordinary. He has perfected the Joker laugh so well that it's a mix between a laugh and an anguished cry.
Also, the look of Gotham is extraordinary, dirty, grimy bleak etc. I think by the references I saw it is meant to be early 80s.
Some interesting nods to the legend and characters from the Batman universe too.
And the supposed controversy about violence is unfounded...there is violence, but only one scene could be described as very graphic.
And I certainly never got the impression that it either glorifies the Joker or asks us to sympathise or empathise with him. At best, you may understand why he does what he does, but you would not excuse or rationalise it.
Cant wait to see it again.
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