3rd Annual N&G 31 Days* of Halloween (2021)

[gaporter]

MOVIE #16
Werewolves Within (2021)

I heard a lot of good things about this movie, but to be honest, I found it very average. It becomes obvious halfway through the film that the movie isn't really about a werewolf and more about the residents of the town the movie takes place in. The characters are all written to be caricatures, which is fine, but if you don't enjoy the movie's very obvious brand of social commentary, it kind of makes it a dull watch. I also didn't really get that sucked into the mystery of the movie. I can see other people enjoying this for what it is, and it has its moments, but for me, the lack of werewolf here is quite noticeable. I liked the main character and some of the dialogue was funny, but overall I wanted more from it. Not awful but not great either.

Final rating:

 

[hype]

Feast (2005)

I have loved this one since the original release and it's just flat out fun from beginning to end.. I would have liked to see the actual creatures a bit more but i'm pretty sure that's due to the low budget and the few times they do show them fully and all other effects are great especially for a more modern Horror movie since they used all practical effects which really makes it age well.

It has Henry Rollins in pink sweats, 2 monsters hitting it doggy style setting car alarms off, random body parts being cut off out of nowhere, it also happily breaks quite a few horror movie rules, etc.. The party pretty much never stops until the credits roll and there's even a mid credits scene at that.

Extremely solid

 

[gaporter]

MOVIE #17
Evil Dead (2013)

Definitely one of the better horror remakes out there. It mostly does its own thing with the premise set up by the original movie, which I think works here. The added plot details of one of the main characters being a recovering drug addict is a decent change and I like that it goes for a more straightforward horror tone. That said, this movie is an absolute gorefest and it's probably one of the most violent movies to hit mainstream theaters in the last decade. I feel like in a way this movie does for the horror films of its time what the original Evil Dead did for the horror b-movies of the late 70's and early 80's. It turns everything up to eleven and keeps upping the ante until the sky is literally raining blood. I think if you're understandably skeptical of modern remakes of classic horror films, you should at least give this one a chance, as it is the rare update that can stand on its own.

Final rating:

 

[hype]

MOVIE #16
Werewolves Within (2021)
View attachment 113027
I heard a lot of good things about this movie, but to be honest, I found it very average. It becomes obvious halfway through the film that the movie isn't really about a werewolf and more about the residents of the town the movie takes place in. The characters are all written to be caricatures, which is fine, but if you don't enjoy the movie's very obvious brand of social commentary, it kind of makes it a dull watch. I also didn't really get that sucked into the mystery of the movie. I can see other people enjoying this for what it is, and it has its moments, but for me, the lack of werewolf here is quite noticeable. I liked the main character and some of the dialogue was funny, but overall I wanted more from it. Not awful but not great either.

Final rating:

Yeah, Sam Richardson is really good in a lot of things (Detroiters especially!) and he was solid in this but I agree overall it was a bit of a letdown as I went in pretty excited about watching it. It's pretty telling since it's been about 2 or so months since I seen it and mostly just recall getting a couple laughs here and there and being left feeling I just watched a very average movie.

Spoiler: Ending Spoiler

The whole over the top nice guy trope got old and was a bit too on the nose for me especially at the end when the "nice guy" that never curses finally yells “it’s fucking OK to be nice” while stabbing the werewolf That pulled the whole movie down for me a bit as it was pretty cringe and it's too bad they had to finish it off with that but it's still an mediocre film at best regardless.

 

[gaporter]

Yeah, Sam Richardson is really good in a lot of things (Detroiters especially!) and he was solid in this but I agree overall it was a bit of a letdown as I went in pretty excited about watching it. It's pretty telling since it's been about 2 or so months since I seen it and mostly just recall getting a couple laughs here and there and being left feeling I just watched a very average movie.

Spoiler: Ending Spoiler

The whole over the top nice guy trope got old and was a bit too on the nose for me especially at the end when the "nice guy" that never curses finally yells “it’s fucking OK to be nice” while stabbing the werewolf That pulled the whole movie down for me a bit as it was pretty cringe and it's too bad they had to finish it off with that but it's still an mediocre film at best regardless.

Yeah I agree with you on the ending. There were a couple other lines of dialogue like that in the movie that felt very obvious. I think what it comes down to is the movie's sense of humor isn't really my thing. Comedy is really subjective and if a comedy doesn't make you laugh, it can be hard to tell if it's just plain unfunny or just not funny to you.

 

[gaporter]

MOVIE #18
The Crow (1994)

Ok, so this isn't really a horror movie, but it is a Halloween movie so it counts! Either way, this movie is awesome. It is very 90's but I think that only adds to its charm. The film is of course associated with Brandon Lee and his untimely demise; it's a shame, as he is fantastic as Eric Draven. The movie is dark and violent, but also has a lot of heart to it, and his performance perfectly encapsulates that balance.

Final rating:

 

[LeeVing]

MOVIE #16
Werewolves Within (2021)
View attachment 113027
I heard a lot of good things about this movie, but to be honest, I found it very average. It becomes obvious halfway through the film that the movie isn't really about a werewolf and more about the residents of the town the movie takes place in. The characters are all written to be caricatures, which is fine, but if you don't enjoy the movie's very obvious brand of social commentary, it kind of makes it a dull watch. I also didn't really get that sucked into the mystery of the movie. I can see other people enjoying this for what it is, and it has its moments, but for me, the lack of werewolf here is quite noticeable. I liked the main character and some of the dialogue was funny, but overall I wanted more from it. Not awful but not great either.

Final rating:

I've been tempted to rent this one, but I didn't want to spend the $$$. I'll wait till it's free on some stream.

 

[LeeVing]

I'm headed out for my first night of 3 for work this week, but I'll be back watching movies soon.

I actually watched The Descent this morning, but didn't get time to post between the Cardinals game and trying to take a nap.

 

[zomgbear]

Not a movie - but a limited series... I loved Flanagan's Haunting series so I binged Midnight Mass this week end. Its a very different vibe and different horror altogether IMO but I really liked it. If you're into slow burn horror - it was really well done. The show takes place on an island and it spends a lot of the show getting you acquainted with the characters - I would say most of it. The show is really good at getting you emotionally invested in it's characters and by the time its gets into the horror aspect, its very pronounced just because of the way it developed. I highly recommend if rated - 5 Skulls!

 

[gaporter]

I've been tempted to rent this one, but I didn't want to spend the $$$. I'll wait till it's free on some stream.

Yeah, I would wait, I'm sure some streaming service will try to grab in time for the Halloween season since it's got a lot of positive buzz.

 

[gaporter]

MOVIE #19
Mimic (1997)

This is an alright creature feature courtesy of Guillermo del Toro, his first Hollywood movie. Unfortunately, while the concept of the movie is cool and it has some bright spots, it is mostly average. The story is by the numbers and none of the characters have too much depth to them. The film features a few decent sequences and is visually very well put together, but despite its high points, it just doesn't make its mark completely. Del Toro is one of those directors that is at his best when his vision isn't interfered with and you can tell he was being very restrained here. As a result, the film feels like a compromise.

Final rating:

 

[zomgbear]

3. Malignant
Me 30 minutes into the movie - this is so dumb.
Me 30 minutes left of the movie - this is fucking brilliant!
Movie was not what I was expecting at all but I was pleasantly surprised to say the least.
Also it's best to not watch a trailer - it's kind of a spoiler - go into it blind like I did.

Spoiler

When "Gabriel" comes out and flips her body backwards and start murdering everyone backwards - hell yes

 

[gaporter]

MOVIE #20
Return to Oz (1985)

Don't let the title or that very Disney poster up there fool you, this is absolutely a horror movie. How else can you describe a movie featuring attempted electrotherapy on a young child, an evil princess with a hallway full of disembodied heads that she wears and whatever the hell the Wheelers are? Oh, and the land of Oz has been conquered and demolished by a king who can become a giant hellish rock monster. Even the friendly sidekicks in this version of Oz are quite unsettling. This is all to say, if you watch Return of Oz as a dark fantasy horror movie, it's pretty amazing. But if you expect a straight sequel to MGM's The Wizard of Oz, you will likely be put off by this movie's dark and twisted tone like many at the time of its release were.

Final rating:

 

[mcherry]

MOVIE #20
Return to Oz (1985)
View attachment 113471
Don't let the title or that very Disney poster up there fool you, this is absolutely a horror movie. How else can you describe a movie featuring attempted electrotherapy on a young child, an evil princess with a hallway full of disembodied heads that she wears and whatever the hell the Wheelers are? Oh, and the land of Oz has been conquered and demolished by a king who can become a giant hellish rock monster. Even the friendly sidekicks in this version of Oz are quite unsettling. This is all to say, if you watch Return of Oz as a dark fantasy horror movie, it's pretty amazing. But if you expect a straight sequel to MGM's The Wizard of Oz, you will likely be put off by this movie's dark and twisted tone like many at the time of its release were.

Final rating:

Totally a horror movie and I love that you picked this

 

[zomgbear]

MOVIE #20
Return to Oz (1985)
View attachment 113471
Don't let the title or that very Disney poster up there fool you, this is absolutely a horror movie. How else can you describe a movie featuring attempted electrotherapy on a young child, an evil princess with a hallway full of disembodied heads that she wears and whatever the hell the Wheelers are? Oh, and the land of Oz has been conquered and demolished by a king who can become a giant hellish rock monster. Even the friendly sidekicks in this version of Oz are quite unsettling. This is all to say, if you watch Return of Oz as a dark fantasy horror movie, it's pretty amazing. But if you expect a straight sequel to MGM's The Wizard of Oz, you will likely be put off by this movie's dark and twisted tone like many at the time of its release were.

Final rating:

I rewatched this past year. The head museum scared the bejesus out of me when I was a youngin. Always thought it was slightly messed up for a Disney movie

 

[yukbon]

Mountain Goats' John Darnielle talks about chainsaw massacre for an hour and it's great:

 

[CrazyDiamond84]

MOVIE #20
Return to Oz (1985)
View attachment 113471
Don't let the title or that very Disney poster up there fool you, this is absolutely a horror movie. How else can you describe a movie featuring attempted electrotherapy on a young child, an evil princess with a hallway full of disembodied heads that she wears and whatever the hell the Wheelers are? Oh, and the land of Oz has been conquered and demolished by a king who can become a giant hellish rock monster. Even the friendly sidekicks in this version of Oz are quite unsettling. This is all to say, if you watch Return of Oz as a dark fantasy horror movie, it's pretty amazing. But if you expect a straight sequel to MGM's The Wizard of Oz, you will likely be put off by this movie's dark and twisted tone like many at the time of its release were.

Final rating:

The wheel guys are one of the creepiest things in a movie.

 

[gaporter]

MOVIE #21
House (1977)

To be honest, I can't properly put this movie into words. It's really one of those things you just have to see for yourself.

Final rating:

 

[gaporter]

MOVIE #22
Night of the Demons (1988)

Night of the Demons is a very of its time demonic possession movie that's amassed a cult following over the years. In a way, it feels like the quintessential 80s teen horror movie, full of all the blood and nudity you would expect. This isn't a film you come to for a deep story or complex characters. But while it might be straightforward, it's a pretty fun time. It may be trash, but it's entertaining trash.

Final rating:

 

[LeeVing]

#13. The Descent (2005)

Another one I go back to regularly - this one seemed to get lumped in with the torture porn of the time for some reason, but it's nothing like that. This is directed by Neil Marshall - he also directed a couple of the more epic episodes of Game Of Thrones.

The sequel is watchable and continues the story a bit, but isn't necessary viewing.



I watched this a few days ago before I started my work week...and I'm just copy/pasting what I wrote 2 years ago in the 1st halloween/horror thread.

Now that the Cardinals win streak is over at 17 games, I don't HAVE to watch the games as much and can get back into some movie watching.