Oktoberfest 2022
9th annual. October is a month in which I watch 1 horror movie every day.
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- DirectorDario ArgentoStarsAnthony FranciosaGiuliano GemmaJohn SaxonAn American novelist visiting Rome to promote his latest book is stalked and harassed by an obsessed fan who is committing a string of murders that appear to be tributes to his work.I don't know if I just had bad luck with the previous Argento films I've seen or if I've simply gotten over a hump. I used to maintain that I hated his films, but the last 2 that I've seen I've actually enjoyed - this one in particular. It was really fun. I loved the score, especially the main theme which is really awesome. It sounds like someone keeps saying "Saruman" throughout it which is funny to me. Dario Argento is the master of mishandling the music in his films and although there were scenes in this where the music felt out of place, it didn't bother me as much this time. I think because it felt like the movie was going for a more campy tone than the other ones I've seen.
There was one scene, though, which was played completely straight that I absolutely loved. It was totally implausible, but the execution of it was perfect. I won't spoil anything, but a character is murdered and it is preceeded by a Hitchcock-esque build up with no score and no dialogue. It's a "bomb under the table" scene, but you almost feel like it can't be happening because of the setting, which is why it's totally implausible. Then BAM. Am I making sense? Who cares? Just watch the movie. It's so far my favorite Dario Argento film. - DirectorDavid LynchStarsJack NanceCharlotte StewartAllen JosephHenry Spencer tries to survive his industrial environment, his angry girlfriend, and the unbearable screams of his newly born mutant child.It was pretty much what I expected it to be. I mean, I have seen the first 20-30 minutes of this, but it was a very long time ago. This is one of those movies that I don't really know how to rate. I really don't know if I liked it or disliked it. I felt the same thing when I saw both Dune and Wild at Heart.
It's unique as fuck, I'll give it that, but most David Lynch movies are. - DirectorEdgar WrightStarsSimon PeggNick FrostKate AshfieldThe uneventful, aimless lives of a London electronics salesman and his layabout roommate are disrupted by the zombie apocalypse.October is the month where I try to watch 1 horror movie every day. Shaun of the Dead isn't really a horror movie, but it has been one of the biggest films that I shamefully hadn't yet seen for several years now. Figured this was a perfect opportunity to finally watch it.
I enjoy zombie procedurals. I enjoyed this movie. - DirectorRose GlassStarsMorfydd ClarkCaoilfhionn DunneJennifer EhleA pious nurse becomes dangerously obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient.One of the most uncomfortable films I've seen in a while. Body horror in general makes me feel uneasy and this had some visceral stuff which was handled in a very delicate way. Like, it's not gratuitous or anything. The movie is mostly psychological, but there was enough of that stuff in there to make me cringe away from the screen. Also, the scene when she goes out to the pub was filled with social awkwardness which is another thing that always gets under my skin and forces me to look the other way.
The movie is really well crafted. The acting, directing, cinematography, score, set design, everything is very well done. Morfydd Clark is phenomenal in her part. You really feel the emotional toll she's going through. She does so well to convey what she's feeling at any given time, by not doing that much. It's all in her body language. You just want to pull her out of the movie and give her a big hug. Jennifer Ehle is also very good in her role. She always does a good job.
Sure, the movie is somewhat derivative of other movies; Ida, Repulsion, The Blackcoat's Daughter, but it manages to be enough of its own thing. It doesn't wear its influences on its sleeve, so it's not distracting in any way. For a first feature, I'd say that's impressive. Not many directors come out fully formed like this with their first film. Hat's off to Rose Glass, I hope she makes even better movies in the future. - DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsSissy SpacekPiper LaurieAmy IrvingCarrie White, a shy, friendless teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom.Much better than I remembered.
- DirectorDavid KoeppStarsJohnny DeppMaria BelloJohn TurturroA successful writer in the midst of a painful divorce is stalked at his remote lake house by a would-be scribe who accuses him of plagiarism.The ending was the most predictable thing in the world. I called it about 10 minutes in and really wished that it wouldn't turn out like that. However, it's well directed, well shot and well acted. So, it's still a decent enough movie. I wouldn't dismiss it.
- DirectorAntonio MargheritiStarsBarbara SteeleGeorge ArdissonHalina ZalewskaA woman under suspicion of witchcraft is burned alive. Her curse brings her back from the dead for revenge.I watched another horror movie by Antonio Margheriti earlier this year called Castle of Blood which was much better than this. I found it to be mostly boring.
- DirectorGeorge MihalkaStarsPaul KelmanLori HallierNeil AffleckA decades-old folk tale surrounding a deranged murderer killing those who celebrate Valentine's Day turns out to be true to legend when a group defies the killer's order and people start turning up dead.Decent enough slasher film. The set up could maybe be trimmed down a little bit, but once it gets going it's an enjoyable watch. Hollis was a fascinating character. He was like a fat, ugly nerd and looked like he was 20 years older than everyone else, but he seemed to have a really healthy relationship with a hot female and was respected by every other archetype slasher movie character. Maybe I haven't seen enough slasher films to recognize that he's also a typical character to show up in them. I'd like to think that I have, though, so I'm going to take a chance on this one.
Perfect for the whole family. - DirectorAlan ParkerStarsMickey RourkeRobert De NiroLisa BonetA private investigator is hired by a man who calls himself Louis Cyphre to track down a singer named Johnny Favorite. But the investigation takes an unexpected and somber turn.SPOILERS, KIND OF.
This is a really well shot and well acted atmospheric neo-noir. The music is fantastic as well. The ending does confuse me a bit, because I don't think the movie is subtle at all. I think everything is laid out pretty clearly up front and then you watch a man deteriorate for the next 100+ minutes. I enjoy the movie quite a bit, but the ending makes me think that it's not supposed to be like that at all. It gives the impression that the ending is supposed to be a twist. This would be one of those movies that I'd love to experience again for the first time. Maybe, it's because I've already seen this movie before that I find it pretty blatant on a scale from 1 to 10. I also don't remember what my initial impressions of the movie were when I first watched it. Maybe I didn't see the end coming at that time, but then again I was only like 17 or 18 then.
I still highly recommend the movie. Despite of its lack of subtlety, it's still a damn well crafted piece of art, in my opinion. - DirectorJackie KongStarsRick BurksCarl CrewRoger DauerTwo brothers are entrusted by their uncle to uphold the ritualistic cannibalism of the ancient cult of Sheetar. In order to do so, they have to prepare a feast of sacrifice for the resurrection of their goddess.The comedy in this was very overt, not necessarily my thing. The only funny part to me was the club scene where we saw some fantastic background extras. I fell asleep during the climax of the film.
- DirectorWes CravenStarsEddie MurphyAngela BassettAllen PayneA Caribbean vampire seduces a Brooklyn police officer who has no idea that she is half-vampire.It was fine.
- DirectorSergio MartinoStarsSuzy KendallTina AumontLuc MerendaA string of appalling lust murders shocks the University of Perugia as a sadistic serial killer strangles to death beautiful college girls with a red and black scarf.A fine Giallo film. Not too much happens, but it went by pretty fast. The third act had some great tension. All I kept thinking throughout those scenes was "If this was directed by Dario Argento there would be so much inappropriate music here". I'm not going to say that Sergio Martino is a better filmmaker, but Argento has a knack for misusing the score in his films and I really appreciated the restraint shown by Martino here. I liked this far more than Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key.
- DirectorWilliam LustigStarsJoe SpinellCaroline MunroAbigail ClaytonA psychopathic man goes on a killing and mutilation spree in New York City.It was alright. I liked the setting and the score the most. Oh, and the Tom Savini effects were of course fantastic. I must admit that I didn't pay 100% attention watching this, though. I got distracted by real life.
- DirectorCurtis HansonStarsAnnabella SciorraRebecca De MornayMatt McCoyAfter her sex offender husband gets caught in the act and kills himself, an embittered pregnant widow loses her child, and embarks on a mission of vengeance against one of her husband's victims and the woman's family.It's not Cape Fear, but it's decent enough. I do enjoy watching movies with this kind of tone, even though they're usually not the best movies ever. But, if you want to see Q from Star Trek: The Next Generation molest a pregnant lady, then this is the movie for you.
- DirectorDario ArgentoStarsJennifer ConnellyDonald PleasenceDaria NicolodiA young girl who has an amazing ability to communicate with insects is transferred to an exclusive Swiss boarding school, where her unusual capability might help solve a string of murders.This one was pretty 'middle of the road' for me. I didn't hate it, but I can't say that I enjoyed it that much either. Tenebre was much better in my opinion.
- DirectorWilliam GirdlerStarsCarol SpeedWilliam MarshallTerry CarterA marriage counselor becomes possessed by a demon of sexuality when her father-in-law, an archaeologist and an exorcist, accidentally frees it while in Africa.A somewhat fun Exorcist ripoff with some hilarious hard-cuts. William Marshall is pretty great. It's a shame that he didn't have a more distinguished acting career.
- DirectorLarry StewartPeter CraneStarsVera MilesClu GulagerDaphne ZunigaAn amnesiac sorority member who has been plagued by a recurring nightmare is stalked alongside other coeds by a killer in a deserted department store where they are completing a hazing ritual.This movie has possibly the best background extra ever. Vera Miles is asking some lady for directions and there's a guy standing next to her. He doesn't say anything, he just stares at Vera Miles like she's a fucking idiot.
It's also one of the best slashers of the era, in my opinion. - DirectorJack ClaytonStarsMary Grace CanfieldRichard DavalosJake DengelIn a small American town, a diabolical circus and its demonic proprietor prey on the townsfolk.Alright. It's one of those movies that I think most people remember fondly from their childhood, but not many people talk about otherwise. Jonathan Pryce was good and it had a nice autumn setting.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsCatriona MacCollPaolo MalcoAnia PieroniA New England home is terrorized by a series of murders, unbeknownst to the guests that a gruesome secret is hiding in the basement.It's not exactly my favorite Lucio Fulci movie, but it does have some neat stuff in it. It has some great gore, great cinematography and shot composition and a fantastic score. Ultimately it's an Amityville Horror ripoff, but the ending definitely makes it stand out - even though they were all incredibly stupid.
- DirectorLarry CohenStarsMichael MoriartyAndrea MarcovicciGarrett MorrisA delicious, mysterious goo that oozes from the earth is marketed as the newest dessert sensation, but the tasty treat rots more than teeth when zombie-like snackers who only want to consume more of the strange substance at any cost begin infesting the world.The main actor in this, Michael Moriarty, was kind of great. His whole demeanor made him extremely likable in my opinion. He also reminded me alot of David Byrne which added to the experience as well.
It's a really fun horror comedy. Kind of an Invasion of the Body Snatchers type of plot that could also be a good companion piece to The Blob. The special effects aren't as good overall, but there are some pretty decent set-pieces. The hotel room scene and the radio station scene comes to mind - the beginning of it, anyway. There's some awful green screen shots put in there, but the practical stuff is good shit.
Nobody talks about this movie, which is weird because I think it would be a great crowd pleaser. It's an ideal movie to put on during a Halloween party if you ask me. - DirectorMark RosmanStarsKate McNeilEileen DavidsonJanis WardAfter a seemingly innocent prank goes horribly wrong, a group of sorority sisters are stalked and murdered one by one in their sorority house while throwing a party to celebrate their graduation.A fine slasher.
- DirectorMario BavaStarsJohn SaxonLetícia RománValentina CorteseA mystery novel-loving American tourist witnesses a murder in Rome, and soon finds herself and her suitor caught up in a series of killings.The blueprints for the Giallo subgenre. It was an enjoyable watch, but it was neither my favorite Giallo film nor my favorite Mario Bava film. Nor is it my favorite Giallo starring John Saxon. However, it's definitely a movie I could watch again. It cetainly has it's moments.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsScott GlennIan McKellenAlberta WatsonNazis are forced to turn to a Jewish historian for help in battling the ancient demon they have inadvertently freed from its prison.Tangerine Dream makes this movie. It's not bad, but it's also not good. I'd say that it wouldn't be worth it if it didn't have the music to rely on.
- DirectorLee HarryStarsEric FreemanJames NewmanElizabeth KaitanThe now-adult Ricky talks to a psychiatrist about how he became a murderer after his brother, Billy, died, which leads back to Mother Superior.Solid bad movie! It's worth it alone for the performance of the main character, but the movie surrounding him is really schlocky and fun. He has some great lines, "GARBAGE DAY" being the obvious one, but I also liked "OH, THERE YOU ARE" and "MOOO! YEAAAH!"
Maybe don't do a double feature with this and the first one, because half of this movie is re-capping the first movie. - DirectorDavid CronenbergStarsOliver ReedSamantha EggarArt HindleA man tries to uncover an unconventional psychologist's therapy techniques on his institutionalized wife, amidst a series of brutal murders.I love Cronenberg's 70's stuff. Wasn't the biggest fan of this movie when I first saw it, but I liked it a hell of alot more this time around.