tommy wrote: Thu Mar 30, 2023 9:07 am

Broadcast Signal Intrusion - Interesting lower budget horror shot in Chicago that takes inspiration from the Max Headroom signal hijacking that happened in Chicago in the 80s. Engaging and fun. Wish the ending was a little more satisfying but I enjoyed it overall.

The antagonist looks like Tonetta!



Thanks for the tip.

Re-watched Terrified last night. I still appreciate this Argentinian scare-fest for its unique take on poltergeist activity, but admit to the third half falling back onto everything you've probably already seen. That said, the first half remains super creepy and atmospheric, and it's judicious use of jump scares are effective and kind of fun. I wouldn't be mad at a remake.



Speaking of remakes or "reimaginings," it's less than 24 hours until Anthony DiBlasi's reimagining of his debut, Last Shift hits theaters (there's a showing tonight but I developed a ripper of a cold that isn't COVID). Absolutely loved the scares and vibe of Last Shift even though the acting isn't stellar and throughout its entire runtime you're thinking: why the fuck doesn't she just get out of there. Hopefully Malum will answer those questions!

I've watched Last Shift maybe two or three times and don't know why I went into Malum expecting to get scared - wishful terrifying! That said, a bigger budget provided much better acting and a solid story. The director also gave his lead actress a reason to stay in a haunted police station instead of bouncing the minute satanic shenanigans were afoot. Props to the design of the demon, Mssr Malum, it was mad awesome. Almost freaked me out but my horror bone is worn down to the marrow.

Worth a stream once it starts streaming.

Business just picked up...

https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/375 ... -esposito/

A24 Reveals Cast for ‘MaXXXine’ Including Mia Goth, Kevin Bacon and Giancarlo Esposito

Watched Knock at the Cabin and it wasn't bad, save for the wonky CGI. I never gave it much thought, but he certainly enjoys taking-on faith and religion.

Turned-off M3GAN the unrated cut about halfway through. Maybe I'll finish it later. I like fun as much as the next person. I do not enjoy providing needles for your balloons. Crap.

I watched Willow Creek for the first time and though the middle becomes tedious to sit through Bobcat knocked it out of the ballpark with the tent scene. Great performances by the two leads. I love how understated the boyfriend's reactions are, as if he's secretly relishing in the moment, and how his girlfriend slowly begins to believe and become terrified. That sequence wouldn't have worked with shitty actors. The ending sucked. For a moment I thought Goldthwait was going to keep that big monster energy but ended up falling on being purposefully obtuse. Anyway, not crap. Was nervously smiling and and white-knuckling through that tent sequence.

Caught a matinee of Evil Dead Rise. I didn't hate it but it offered nothing new which is weird since Cronin is attempting to do something fresh with the franchise. There's a big old dilapidated apartment building that's criminally underused (as well as the cheese grater) and though the actors are all fantastic there is an element of fear missing from each of their performances. The entire movie felt like a set-up for the next one and love letters to the previous ones. For my money Fede Alvarez's reboot still reigns supreme. I'm like super particular though so ignore me.

Horror movies I've seen this year so far:

Body Bags: old anthology film i finally watched just to be a Carpenter completist. Job done, heavy price.
Creep 2: Duplass is generally a malign influence on film, but this is as good as the first.
Deadstream: pretty fun, if you have a high tolerance for annoying people.
Goodnight Mommy: Remake. Don't know why i did this to myself since i didn't even care for the original.
Infinity Pool: you think it's shit, then there is an interesting development, and then the rest of it is, indeed, shit.
Knock at the Cabin: Nah.
Megan: you will guess everything about this film from the poster.
The Outwaters: minimalist, maybe too basic, but a solid experience in a dark room with a good sound system.
The Price We Pay: seems like it was made by a bunch of people who didn't really care. One good splatter-type killing, not worth watching the whole film for though.
Project Wolf Hunting: more like crapject crap crapping.
Relaxer: not true horror, but it's grosser than most splatter movies. Good date movie.
The Ritual: the Rafe Spall one. Hacky story, but it has some creepy sequences.
Saraitda: standard zombie film stuff, but likeable somehow.
Sick: more crap. Kevin Williamson is one of the least talented people ever to have a long career in film.
Unwelcome: I legit thought this was a straight-up comedy, but apparently it isn't.
VHS99: 2 good-ish stories, 1 ok, 2 poor. Better than most anthologies, esp Body Bags.

Just ran across this pic of a mummy that was on display in St. James Garlickhythe in London and it's freaking me out but I can't stop looking at it. The more I look I think it inspired that thing creeping out of the closet in Terrified. Either way - nightmare fuel.

Ran across a low-budget, experimental found footage movie on Tubi titled He's Watching. What was most interesting about it was that its horror sequences looked eerily familiar with deeply saturated tones, audio anxiety, and weird camera angles. Taking into consideration the plot which concerns two children left home alone with a supernatural creature stalking them I began to catch strong Skinamarink vibes. However, this was released a year prior. He's Watching also goes back-and-forth with a straight narrative and being unconventional. Both are overly long, both play with the idea of childhood fears, nostalgia, and how nostalgia informs those fears as a viewer. Didn't like the ending, loved Skinamarink's ending.

If you didn't like Skinimarink you might find He's Watching more tolerable. The movie is a family affair with pops as the director and his kids sharing in the lead roles. It feels like a labor of love. Shot during lockdown.

If you like SOV stuff, this was quite good.