ALL HAIL MARBAS, IT’S THE SPOOKY MONTH!!!

     Oh my little horror loving Lunatics, it’s that special time of year again and like the fourth installment in our favorite genre we are insisting upon ourselves. That’s right, the audience is itching and word around the multiplex says this franchise might be overstaying its welcome. Cue a return to the grittiness of the first, the gimmicks of the deuce and the finality of part three as this has to play as an ending in case it bombs while simultaniously teasing a new beginning if the box office demands. It’s the studio’s classic recipe for the ole quatro and we wouldn’t dare to do it any different in this, our first AND FINAL… fourth.

     Programming so hardcore that we’re giving you more! You see what I’m talking about? We really should stop BUT SINCE WE DIDN’T it’s time to explain to the newbies how we choose the movies. Now normally I’d tell my returning Lunatics to skip ahead to the next paragraph but I think you should read on as something interesting happened this year. As per usual Oscar and myself met in the woods with 2 lists of 31 movies and our various worshiping accouterments in offering to our lord Marbas but as we bled out the goat in the light of the full moon, whittling down our list of 62 to 31 the once overwhelming sound of amphibian lust was suddenly silenced. We finished in silence and it was at the moment we wrote down the final film of the program that it happened. The sky went black, the ground shook and a deep voice bellowed in the wind, “CHRONOLOGICAL”. It would seem that the dark lord intends to spookify your season by having you witness the very evolution of horror in this program.

     Now let’s get down to business ‘cause I know what you’re asking and YES, there will be AUDIO and VIDEO COMMENTARY and just like before the AUDIO COMMENTARY will be open for everyone to stream as of right now and the VIDEO COMMENTARY will be released according to their programming day and will be available exclusively to our subscribers. Just a little something special cuz we love that you love us enough to pay. ::wink:: Ok, so that checks pandering to the base off the list and now to secure this franchise’s relevance with this trip through the decades of horror sure to have you coming back for more, IT’S THE 31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN!


The Black Cat (1934)

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     We begin with this Universal Horror Era picture that snuck in JUST before The Hays Code took effect in Hollywood. This is the first pairing of Karloff and Lugosi and it is arguably their best. Oh yeah, it’s also MAD fucked up. Murder, grooming, ritual sacrafice, no FOR REAL. Bet you thought a movie from the 30’s was gonna be boring. Meanwhile 1930’s like, “Put out a revenge picture and sprinkle in some Satan worship that’s sure to terrify the god fearing public. What’s that you say? Serial killers and necrophilia? Sounds like greenbacks to me and I ain’t talking Lincolns.” AAANNNNND scene. Apparently the studio had certain scenes not only removed from the original cut but BURNED immediately after being cut. Sure it has nothing to do Edgar Allan Poe but the performances are amazing, the shots are on point and the shit gets real. Well else can I say, go watch the damn movie.


Horror of Dracula (1958)

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     Day 2 moves us a couple decades plus change down the timeline and across the pond with this Hammer Horror production of the classic Dracula tale with the great Christopher Lee as the titular character. Now in full color and taking complete advantage of that fact with its blood effects and costume design. Seriously, the blood’s bright red and the drip is real. The god Peter Cushing wears this coat as Vanhelsing with a fur collar that’s dopeness. Point is this movie is LAVISH. The sets are large & full, the score is big & brassy and Lee’s performance as the undead legend is both scary & sexy. Don’t sleep on this one. It’s a top 5 all time Dracula movie contender, EASY. 


Black Sunday (1960)

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     Day 3 means it’s time for a little Mario Bava. You know it’s not the spooky month without some Italian Horror and Black Sunday is one of the best. With an impressive dual role performance from Barbara Steele as Katia, our innocent final girl and her great grand something or other Asa, the resurrected witch out for revenge on her entire family after having been branded and getting a mask of spikes rammed into her FACE. No spoilers, it’s the opening scene. Beautiful black and white cinematography calling back to the gothic Universal pictures in contrast with a then modern gore aesthetic. Seeing as Bava was in charge of cinematography AND worked on the special effects there’s probably a lot that this film’s juxtapositions could tell us about the man himself. ::mic drop:: BOOM! You just got cinephiled. ::fap::fap::fap::Splat:: Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yeah, you gotta watch this fucking movie man. 


Eyes Without a Face (1960)

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     On to day 4 for a little of that French horror flavor with director Georges Franju’s surreal chiller where a guilt ridden surgeon is perfecting an experimental skin grafting  procedure that he hopes can be used to replace his daughter’s face that was disfigured by an accident he was responsible for. Now he just needs to find a donor. It’s that creepy slow burn vibe that’s perfect for a weekday watch. Though that does come with a punch as this was one of a trilogy across nations being released the same year alongside Bava’s Black Sunday and Hitchcock’s Psycho all shouting in glorious black and white that in the 60’s horror came with gore. So expect to feel your skin crawl as you look into the eyes without a face.


Carnival of Souls (1962)

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     Day 5 takes us a couple years down our horror timeline with this low budget independently financed and produced ghost story. I would tell you about the plot but there’s barely a plot and even if there WAS more plot it still wouldn’t be the selling point of this movie. This film is ALL atmosphere. The music, the editing, the sound design, it’s all doing the heavy lifting in delivering this dream-like aesthetic that lures you into a hypnotic state. Film school snobs will declare its odd pacing and experimental camera work the accidental gold of an amature filmmaker but clearly director Herk Harvey knew what the fuck he was going for. Ok? Sorry about that, it’s just you find the one asshole online talking shit about a movie and you feel like you’re losing your mind, you know? Anyway, turn down the lights and let yourself be lulled into terror by the Carnival of Souls.


Dementia 13 (1963)

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     Moving on to day 6 for Francis Ford Coppola’s feature film about the horrors of dealing with your spouse’s family. An inheritance scheme, a mysterious death and the ghost of a loved one haunting the lives of all that remain. Sure it’s a bit of a psycho rip and the plot is thin but it’s got all the right moves to keep your days spooky through the week, It’s just another one of those bare bones indie horror flicks that the 60’s did so well and you can see Coppola’s talent peaking through the constraints of its budget. So keep to yourself and stay out of the water because Dementia 13 will be taking over your mind before you even get dry.


The Devils (1971)

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     Day 7 takes us into a new decade and the 70’s kept the gore coming. Set in France in 1634 a scumbag priest, Father Grandier as played by Oliver Reed is the town of Loudun’s most coveted man. The whole damn nunnery wants a piece of Grandier, especially the super horny hunchback Sister Jeanne as played by Vanessa Redgrave. Long story short, the state and church work to take over the town and use accusations of witchcraft thrown Grandier’s way to do so. It’s hyper violent, hyper sexual, fucked beyond all recognition and most importantly it’s a masterpiece that has a lot to say about the horrors that can AND DO occur when the church and the state start working together. Prepare to never be able to look at a nun in the eyes ever again ‘cause The Devil will leave an impression that will not soon fade.


It’s Alive (1974)

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    Almost midway through the 70’s for day 8’s killer mutant baby picture. You can reread that sentence, it won’t change it. Look, this is low budget b-movie shlock. It’s drive-in fare. Sure, it’s cheap and not a lot happens but it takes itself serious enough that you gotta love it. The two leads have some time to shine PLUS it’s got some pedigree to it with Bernard Hermann on the score and Rick Baker on special effects. It’s slow and moody and screams 70’s with every fiber of its being and it’s a perfect saturday night hangout movie for the spooky month. So call up a friend or two and understand that though there’s A LOT wrong with the Davis baby but the main problem is that it’s alive.

     Got no friends? Well then watch it for the first time with us by putting us in your ear or on the corner of your screen. How both Oscar or myself had gone this long without watching this movie escapes me but now we have our first time reaction on record.

–  [AUDIO COMMENTARY] – [VIDEO COMMENTARY]


 

Jaws (1975)

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     Day 9 brings us to the midway point of the decade, making horror history. That insane moment when what could have been a Roger Corman creature feature became the first blockbuster. It was schlock being put out by a major Hollywood studio with a big budget and an untested director on the eve of a writers strike with no script boasting the shark as its star with an animatronic that had trouble working in water. What is there left to say about Jaws that hasn’t already been said. The movie is great, Spielberg nailed it, the John WIlliams score, Rroy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, blah blah blah. None of that shit is why we have it on this list. This shit is here because it is fucking horrifying. The tension grabs you and it doesn’t shy away from the gore. Seriously, EVERY death in this movie feels BRUTAL. Don’t let the acclaim fool you, this is a horror movie about a giant killer shark and it fucking delivers.


The Toolbox Murders (1978)

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     Well it’s day 10 and though it took us four years to get here, it finally happened. We have hit trash and not the fun kind either. Reaching the end of the 70’s , heading towards the decade known for the slasher flick, The Toolbox Murders is pure exploitative trash. The plot is simple, a dude with a toolbox full of acoutrimont goes around murdering people. It’s bleak, unrelenting, violent as FUCK and will leave you feeling slightly empty and very dirty. It’s the kind of movie that you watch once and NEVER watch again. It is rough, I’m not gonna lie to you but our commentary will make it more bearable for the faint of heart. So get ready to meet Cameron Mitchelle and prep yourself mentally because in the words of Oscar when we watched it, this is truly a classless picture.

     Watch him carve a nightmare along with us by putting us in your ear or on the corner of your screen and for the first time watchers you have BOTH Oscar and myself along with you in this first time reaction commentary and watchalong.

–  [AUDIO COMMENTARY] – [VIDEO COMMENTARY]


The Funhouse (1981)

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     On to day 11 where we are now entering the 80’s and it shows. Director Tobe Hooper of Texas Chainsaw Massacre fame turns his twisted eye to the traveling carnival. The cacophony of sounds, the flashing lights, the creepy carnies, all the hallmarks of your local fair are the baseline of the start of this movie. But when a pair of young couples decide to spend the night inside of the titular Funhouse attraction for some sex and drugs they soon find out that once the carnival closes the REAL freak show begins. What else can I say, Hooper brings his A game, Rick Baker’s effects are phenomenal, the sets are perfect and the acting is turned up to 11 in the best way possible. I promise you will leave this movie with an elevated heart rate and a big ole smile on your face.


The Prowler (1981)

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     Day 12 and the decade of the slasher is in full effect with this little known gem featuring gore effects from the king of splatter himself, Tom Savini and directed by Joseph Zito who would go on to head the 4th part of the Friday the 13th series. The plot is super simple and the mystery isn’t hard to solve but the kills are great, it has a pretty iconic look for its killer with the full military uniform and a pitchfork. It’s one of those 80’s slashers that has fallen through the cracks over the years but it’s totally worth your time and is an ideal watch for a spooky season Wednesday. So stay indoors and be sure to lock up ‘cause there’s a prowler on the loose and he might just be coming for you next.


White Dog (1982)

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     Moving along to day 13 for the greatest horror of all… racism. Old school auteur Samuel Fuller directs this movie about a racist ass dog and it gets pretty fucking terrifying. See white woman Julie played by Kristy McNichol finds a german shepherd but little does she know that her little rescue pup was trained by a racist to atack black folks and though she’s made aware of the dogs racist ass ways she decides that she’s gonna find someone to reprogram him. Look, this movie’s premise is fucking nuts but it’s well shot, has a banging score by legend Ennio Morricone and a standout performance by the always reliable Paul Winfield as the only trainer willing to do something other than shoot the dog dead. So get the edge of your seat ready ‘cause white dog is gonna have you sitting on it.


Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)

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     Day 14 brings another trend of 80’s horror; anthology storytelling. Ironically John Landis and Steven Spielberg are the two directors that had the clout to get this movie made and I say ironically because their two segments are the weakest of the four. Lucky for them Joe Dante and George Miller directed their last two segments with enough inventive style to push it over the edge. It’s got a great score by Jerry Goldsmith, some mind blowing practical effects by Rob Bottin and an allstar cast featuring the likes of Scatman Crothers, Kevin McCarthy, Nancy Cartwright, Dick Miller, Kathleen Quinlan, Dan Akroyd, Albert Brooks, John Lithgow and Vic Morrow who incidentally died in a stunt gone wrong during production but that’s a story for another day, for now we go… to The Twilight Zone.


Friday the 13th V: A New Beginning (1985)

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     We’re hitting day 15 and for the midpoint of the program AND the 80’s let’s bring it in with one of the biggest names of the biggest trend of the decade… Jason. So how do you continue the franchise after you just killed this motherfucker the year earlier in “The Final Chapter”? Well, you call it A New Beginning, hire a director with porn on his resume and follow the kid that killed him in the last movie. See little Tommy Jarvis has been in and out of mental hospitals for the last 5 years ‘cause he’s all fucked up from murdering a seriel killer as a child but after arriving at the Pinehurst youth development center Jason is mysteriously somehow back and killling fools. Everyones a cartoon on coke, characters are introduced JUST to be murdered, theres too much cursing, too much nudity and kind of too many kills. Make no mistake this movie is trash BUT it’s the fun kind of trash. So ignore the fact that your calendar says it’s Saturday the 15th because tonight… it’s Friday the 13th.

     Watch this new beginning along with us by putting us in your ear or on the corner of your screen and for you first timers, Oscar is right there with you as this is his first time reaction.

–  [AUDIO COMMENTARY] – [VIDEO COMMENTARY]


Aliens (1986)

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     On to day 16 for one of those sequels that is arguably better than the original. Like even if YOU wouldn’t agree you wouldn’t fault anyone for thinking so. James Cameron, off the heels of The Terminator brings his brand of sci-fi horror to the Alien franchise by simply adding an S. There are AlienS, fucking PLURAL. Sigourney Weaver is back as Ellen Ripley, the lone human survivor of the USCSS Nostromo, fresh out of cryosleep facing the realization that 57 years have passed and her daughter is dead gets sent BACK to the planet where the Nostromo crew encountered the alien to advise a team of marines after the colony living there suddenly goes silent. Little do they know they know, it’s gonna be a war. Everything about this movie is perfect. The cinematography, the dialogue, the creature work by Stan Winston, the editing, sets, score, special effects AND action?! Not to mention stand out performances by Michael Biehn, Al Matthews, Jenette Goldstein and the late great Bill Paxton. I think I’ve said enough, go fucking watch Aliens.


Evil Dead 2 (1987)

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     Speaking of sequels that give the original a run for its money, day 17 brings back director Sam Raimi and star Bruce Campbell for this sequel to a movie that became an immediate cult classic that even made Stephen King sing its praises. So how do you top that? You do the same thing again with a bigger budget, better actors, crazier special effects and you sprinkle in a little three stooges for good measure. Evil Dead II will give you tonal whiplash in the best way. You’ll be absolutely terrified one moment and then laughing the next right before you find yourself screaming. Its fucking insane but got damn does it work. Campbell is iconic as Ash, the deadites are vicious while simultaneously doing bits, the score kicks ass, the camera work will fry your brain and the scares will have you jumping. So stay out of the wine cellar and don’t read from the necronomicon because the evil dead have risen and they want you dead by dawn.


Beetlejuice (1988)

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     Moving along to day 18 where we meet the Maitlands. A picturesquely perfect white couple played by Alec Baldwin & Geena Davis in small town America living full lives. I mean, until they die. CALM DOWN it’s not a spoiler, it happens in the first 10 minutes. It’s the inciting incident for fucks sake. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, so the Maitlands are dead and back home when the Deetz family moves in but after some failed haunting attempts they turn to Betelgeuse, a bio-exorcist hawking results and free demon possessions via supernatural commercial on their television. Yeah, it’s A LOT and I’ve barely scratched the surface. Tim Burton’s style is inescapable and complete with Danny Elfman’s score. The visuals are morbidly beautiful and sure Micheal Keaton steals the show as Betelgeuse but every performance, down to the extras is pitch perfect. So say it once, say it twice, three times a charm and remember that when you let Betelgeuse out, you HAVE to put him back.


A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)

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     On day 19 we make our way back to Elm Street where Freddy returns to kill the surviving Dream Warriors via an assist from a pup with a full bladder and this girl named Alice who may very well be The Dream Master. Will she harness her power in time to save The Dream Warriors and the rest of her friends? Look, all you need to know is that this movie is fire, pun intended and no one has ever accused the Nightmare franchise of not having style. Everything about this movie is DRIPPING style. The dream sequences and kills are WILDLY imaginative, the effects will have you wondering how they did it without a computer and director Renny Harlin gives the camera work an energy that is very of its time but it actually works. Franchise star Robert Englund himself dubbed the film “The MTV Nightmare” and the returning Dream Warriors do a good job handing off the lead role to Lisa Wilcox’s Dream Master. Listen, make a pot of coffee and accept you’re gonna have fucked up dreams because its time for another nightmare.

     Watch the rise of the Dream Master along with us by putting us in your ear or on the corner of your screen and in what’s kinda become an Elm Street tradition, it’s another first time reaction from Oscar.

–  [AUDIO COMMENTARY] – [VIDEO COMMENTARY]


Hellraiser II – Hellbound (1988)

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     We round off our little end of the decade run on day 20 with a sequel to the most sexually confusing slasher of the bunch. Picking up right where the first one left off, we follow survivor Kirsty as she is taken to local mental hospital, the Channard Institute, under investigation for all the dead bodies at her house but after Dr. Philip Channard of the hospital’s very namesake comes across the Lament Configuration box and has one of his patients solve it to buy his way to the Cenobite’s dimension. Dough Bradly is back as Pinhead along with Ashley Laurence as Kirsty and Clare Higgins as Julia along with all of Pinhead’s Cenobite buddies. The movie doubles down on its sexualized body horror and expands the lore in a BIG way. It’s a big bloody mess that is sure to leave you horrified and a little horny, the way that only a Hellraiser movie can.


Cronos (1993)

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     Into the 90’s for day 21 with the directorial debut of Guillermo Del Toro where we follow Jesus, an antiques dealer in Mexico who finds the Cronos device hidden in a statue but once in his hands the device bites him and suddenly he finds himself with a pep in his step and a craving for blood. It’s insane to think that his style of storytelling is so well defined. This is his first fucking movie and it has everything you expect from a Del Toro film. Blood, violence, Ron Pearlman, an autopsy, interesting camera work and overly designed practical effects of ancient mechanized devices with insects in them. It’s like Del Toro Bingo and we ALL win. Not to mention a great performances from Federico Luppi as Jesus and not to forget Margarita Isabel and the aforementioned Mr. Pearlman do a damn good job as well. It’s creepy, gross, fantastical with an odd sense of humor and a bit of heart. So sit back, relax and enjoy this weird little vampire movie.


Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)

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     Well, it’s day 22 and we’re at the midpoint of the 90’s so let me throw 4 words at you… Tales From The Crypt. Wait, no, hold up, I got 3 more words… Billy Motherfucking Zane. If you’re not already onboard I don’t even know if I want you doing the rest of the program, man. Ok look, this movie doesn’t get as much love as it should considering all it has going for it. Cinematographer turned director, Ernest Dickerson shoots it like a fucking comic book. ALL the effects are awesome. The practical, the optical, the makeup and gore, it’s just one giant chef’s kiss. Not to mention it’s basically a heist movie involving demons, a hundred year old Demon Knight and oh yeah, did I mention BILLY FUCKING ZANE! I’m sorry, he’s literally that good in this movie. His performance is the stand out which is saying a lot considering the cast is STACKED. William Sadler, CCH Pounder, Thomas Hayden Church, fucking Dick Miller and I hate to put her name in my mouth but Jada Pinkett is in this thing and shes awesome in it. Just go watch Demon Knight, you’ll thank me later.


From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

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     On to day 23 for a horror film that couldn’t be more of its time. I mean, it’s hard to get more 90’s than a Quentin Tarantino script directed by Robert Rodriguez starring George Clooney alongside Tarantino as criminal brothers fleeing the law who take Harvey Keitel’s family hostage, cross the Mexican border and end up at a bar called The Titty Twister where they suddenly find themselves in a vampire movie. OH and Juliette Lewis plays one of Kitel’s kids. Almost got it all out in one. The violence is over the top, you got KNB doing all the makeup, gore and practical effects. Fred Williamson, Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin and Tom Savini in an acting role? Not to mention an appearance both in the film and on the soundtrack from Tito & Tarantula as The Titty Twister Band. Also Salma Hayek does a dance with a snake. There’s too much to talk about. The movie grabs you from the opening scene and never lets you go. So come on ramblers, let’s get rambling because the night is always darkest before the dawn.


Lost Highway (1997)

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     Moving along to day 24 and you knew we had to give you some David Lynch surreal horror goodness. See, Bill Pullman and Patricia Arquette are a middle class suburbanite couple showing signs of strain. I mean, sure he gets some of his demons out down at the jazz club with his sweet saxophone solos but it feels like something is bubbling under the surface. Then one day they get a VHS tape in the mail that has footage of THEIR house taken from the front yard. Sounds creepy and weird right? Well it’s David Lynch so it only gets more insane as it goes on. Plus you got Robert Blake being as disturbing as he wants to be, I promise you this movie will make you retract in horror with a phone call and a man walking towards you with a camera.The whole thing is like the kind of fucked up nightmare you wake up from that leaves you so uneasy you just cant get back to bed. Seriously, it’s gonna wrinkle your brain and you won’t stop thinking about it for a week. 

     Get lost on the highway with us by putting us in your ear or on the corner of your screen. Now this is an interesting one as Oscar and myself hadn’t seen this thing in over a decade so it’s kind of a refresher reaction.

–  [AUDIO COMMENTARY] – [VIDEO COMMENTARY]


Scream 2 (1997)

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     Ok, It’s day 25, we’re in the late 90’s so how about Wes Craven’s sequel to his hit self aware teen slasher flick that revived the genre through the decade. It’s the 90’s, you’re inevitably gonna hit a Scream but this one is good. You have the returning survivors of course. You got your Neve Campbell and your Courteney Cox. Your David Arquette, Jamie Kennedy, even Liev Schreiber but then it adds in Sarah Michelle Gellar, Timothy Olyphant, Jerry O’Connell and I hate to test my luck a second time but Jada Pinkette is in this movie guys. Hrmm. Nothing. Just to be safe I won’t say it a third time. Anyway, Kevin Williamson’s script is sharp, Craven’s direction is flawless and the kills are blunt and effective as fuck. Its meta commentary on sequel tropes while simultaneously doing all the sequel tropes is a tightrope walk and its whodunit nature will have you suspecting everyone that shows up on screen. Scream 2 is better than we remember it. Get on it.


The Faculty (1998)

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     We wrap up our trip through the 90’s on day 26 with Robert Rodriguez directing a Kevin Williamson script that’s basically Invasion of the Body Snatchers with troubled teens, more action and a creature feature vibe. It’s kind of the perfect representation of 90’s horror as the biggest trend was modern takes on old stories. Some of them work, some of them don’t but I think this one does. Sure it’s main cast reads like a list a casting agent has in a folder labeled “hot right now”, for fucks sake Usher is in this thing for some reason BUT theres some good names on there. Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, Clea DuVall PLUS on the adult side you got Robert Patrick, Famke Janssen, Selma Hayek, Bebe Neworth, Christopher McDonald and John Stewart for some reason. It’s not a masterpiece but making the faculty of their highschool the body snatching aliens actually works as a twist on the formula and makes this sci-fi horror a fun Wednesday night watch.


House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

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     We jump to the beginning of the 2000’s on day 26 for Rob Zombie’s feature length directorial debut that’s a strange mix of 50’s kitsch, 70’s grime with random arthouse touches that make the movie feel like a fever dream at times. Is it borrowing heavily stylistically, yes but the movie goes fucking HARD. Is the story simple with very little frills and twists, yes but it’s cast makes it sing. Bill Mosely, Karen Black, Matthew McGrory, Sheri Moon Zombie and the late great Sid Haig as Captain Spaulding are fucking insane in the way you imagine homicidal maniacs would be and they steal the show which is saying something considering you have scene stealing regulars Rainn Wilson, Walton Goggins and Chris Hardwick on deck in your cast. The editing choices are odd and is full of interstitials and jarring transitions but it works for the movie’s manic tone, matched only by its even more manic ultra violent gore. So witness the murderous acid trip fantasies of Doctor Satan that lie withing the house of 1000 corpses.


You’re Next (2011)

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     On day 28 we jump ahead to the beginning of the next decade where a new trend is in full effect with this 80’s home invasion throwback. From the gritty tone and color timing to the bleak undertones and brutal violence, hell even the synth score touch, these are all conscious decisions homaging that decade’s home invasion slashers. All that said, it’s actually the movie’s strength. It’s story is barebones, it shows enough without showing too much and the look of the three killers named Fox, Lamb and Tiger is the kind of design choice that those iconic slasher flicks would make. The movie just works. It’s terrifying, it’s nihilistic and has random moments of levity that will take you by surprise. Shout out to director Adam Wingard, he made a throwback so good that it could actually pass as one of the originals. So triple check your locks and turn off the lights because this ones going for the throat and you’re next.


Annihilation (2018)

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     Moving on to the end of the 2010’s on day 29 with writer/director Alex Garland’s tale of cosmic horror about Lena, a military biologist who signs up for an expedition inside of this ever growing translucent bubble referred to as The Shimmer that appeared at the site of a meteorite crash when her husband, Oscar Issac, returns a year after being declared MIA from HIS mission inside with NO recollection of what happened to him, his unit or how he even got back. Together with her unit of armed scientists from multiple fields, Lena is charged with reaching the center of The Shimmer in the hopes of understanding what it is. The visuals in this movie range from beautifully off putting to what the fuck is THAT?! The special effects and design work is impressive, wholly original and for damn sure memorable. Plus it has a strong cast including Jennifer Jason Lee, Tessa Thompson and Gina Rodriguez just to name a couple. So clear a corner in your mind because there are things in Annihilation that will be living rent free in your brain for the rest of your life.


X (2022)

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     For day 30 we bring it to today. The early days of the 2020’s and MAN do I hope this is a trend of the new decade. X is NOT a throwback, it’s a period piece slasher with a strong visual flare from director Ti West. They’re not winking at the camera, this isn’t a parody, they’re just telling this story about a group of 70’s youths that rent out a farmhouse to shoot a porno and the hijinks that ensues. Its violence is vicious, there’s no shortage of creepy and flat out disturbing moments but the movie has an energy to it thanks to its camera work, editing choices and lead performance by Mia Goth as Maxine, the country girl with X factor. Not to mention Martin Henderson, Jenna Ortega, Brittany Snow, Kid Kudi and Owen Campbell as the rest of the porno crew. The soundtrack slaps, the kills are awesome, the story gets weird as FUCK and by the time it ends you will have a smile from ear to ear. So be prepared to see some things you’ll never be able to unsee because X is bringing the slasher back with style.

     Watch this barnyard massacre along with us by putting us in your ear or on the corner of your screen and this time around it’s MY first time reaction as for some reason I hadn’t gotten around to seeing it.

–  [AUDIO COMMENTARY] – [VIDEO COMMENTARY]


Halloween (1978)

[TRAILER] – [WHERE TO FIND IT]

     Finally we land on our 31st and final day of the program in good old Haddonfield on the night that HE came home. We’ve done this for 4 damn years now and EVERY YEAR we end on the OG. John Carpenter’s low budget, independent slasher masterpiece, produced and co-written by Deborah Hill, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence with a score by Carpenter himself. There just isn’t a better movie to watch on Halloween night. It’s slow, methodical and running on pure atmosphere. The slow moving camera, the sound of Micheal Myers breathing, even everyone’s style of acting is the perfect mood for this simple little story about a psychotic crazy person murdering babysitters. Look, it is what it is. In 1978 financier, Moustapha Akkad funded a gang of anti establishment hippie kids that were straight out of film school to make him a horror picture and it just so happened to be the greatest one to watch on the night that it’s titled after. Don’t overthink this, it’s Halloween.


     So there you go, The 31 days of Halloween 4: The First and Final Fourth. Eh? How we looking? Did we kill the franchise? Did we jump the shark?! Or did we actually manage to revive this cash cow enough to keep the money coming in? What do YOU think? Where would you rank it against all our prior programs? Let us know by reaching out on your social media of choice @VictorMoranLive or use it for daily reminders of the program to help you keep up OR you can subscribe to this RSS feed with the pumpkin below if you don’t do the socials. Premium subscribers, you’ll get direct reminders for the VIDEO COMMENTARIES on their release days. We look forward to hearing from you as you watch along with our program ‘cause it’s the audience that decides whether a fourth is the FIRST… or final.

HAPPY SPOOKY MONTH EVERYBODY!

 


programmed by Oscar Benitez and Victor Moran

wirtten by Victor Moran