October Horror Movie of the Month #18 - The Lost Boys

The Film: The Lost Boys

The Director: Joel Schumacher

The Cast: Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Keifer Sutherland

Release Date: July 31, 1987.

Do I really need to explain myself?  It's The Lost Boys, for cryin' out loud!

I suppose if I were to explain myself, I'd say that it's the '80s' most bombastic horror film, fitting the decade's persona perfectly.  (However, it's not the decade's best vampire flick...more on that at a later date.)  It's got the Coreys, it's got a young Jack Bauer, and the underrated Barnard Hughes delivering one of the best final lines in horror history.  It's got some iconic imagery, and I'm not just talking about the sweaty saxophone player.  I still believe too, man.

Quote of the Day

"I definitely want Brooklyn to be christened, but I don't know into what religion yet."
 -David Beckham-

Scream 4 Trailer

The Scream 4 Trailer was just shown at at the Scream Awards 2010.  I am a fan of the first three scream films but am a little skeptical about this one.  The trailer is not all that exciting either.  What do you think?!?

Korean boy singing Mariah's "Hero"

October Horror Movie of the Day #17 - Scream 2

 

The Film: Scream 2

The Director: Wes Craven

The Cast: Neve Campbell, Liev Schreiber, David Arquette, Courtney Cox

Release Date: December 12, 1997.

Wes Craven's Scream is undoubtedly one of the most influential horror films for my generation, but I've always had a real soft spot for the first sequel to that film.  What could have been called "Scream: The College Year" lacks some of the novelty of its predecessor, but some interesting character moves make up for that in my mind.

Most notable is my hero, Liev Schreiber.  Despite what you know, the dude is totally the best actor ever who's not named Kurt Russell.  As the opportunistic Cotton Weary, Schreiber is awesomely snarky and all kinds of awesome.  Add in the also-mega-awesome Timothy Olyphant, the always cheesy Jerry O'Connell, and the cuteness of late 90s Sarah Michelle Gellar, and you've got a movie that wins The Mike's heart.  Is it better than the first?  Nope.  But it's AWESOMER!

(Apologies to the gorgeous Rose McGowan, who did her best to keep the original in contention.)

October Horror Movie of the Day #16 - Dawn of the Dead

The Film: Dawn of the Dead
The Director: George A. Romero
The Cast: David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross
Release Date: September 2, 1978

Few horror films are as large in scale as George Romero's sequel.  Though it's relatively minimal in setting - after a brief set-up the whole movie takes place in the now famous Monroeville Mall - Dawn of the Dead seems to have as wide a view of the human condition as any horror film.  Like Romero's other zombie films, the human reactions to a zombie outbreak is the primary focus.  The zombies are just the force that sets their story in motion.

While Romero has come back the zombie game a whopping six times now (and while I still slightly prefer the simple nightmare that is Night of the Living Dead), he's never had as much control over his film as he does in Dawn.  The result is an intelligent and moving film that survives a few too many montages of the characters' new lives in the mall (at over 130 minutes, it's one of the few horror epics).  Don't let me fool you - there's a ton of gore, especially in the final act - but that's not why I love Dawn.  This is social commentary in horror at its finest.

October Horror Movie of the Day #15 - The Commune

The Film: The Commune
The Director: Elisabeth Fies
The Cast: Chauntal Lewis, David Lago, Stuart G. Bennett
Release Date: June 5, 2009

As I've gotten to know some folks in the horror scene via this goofy thing called the world wide web,  one of the coolest people I've come across is filmmaker Elisabeth Fies.  Using her quick wit and vast knowledge of cinema, Ms. Fies has become a vocal advocate for women filmmakers everywhere - who is also pretty darn good at making movies.  Her debut feature, The Commune, is a shocking and realistic tale of feminine fear that packs a helluva punch.

Starring Chauntal Lewis - who gives a remarkable performance - as a young girl who is sent to live with her father at what could only be described as a hippie community.  While there, she runs afoul of some psychotropic drugs, meets a young punk rock fellow, and begins to believe that there's something very odd going on around her.  Borrowing heavily from films like The Wicker Man, there's a sense of dread that increases throughout the film as the viewer begins to understand there's something not right.  The Commune is an independent debut feature that's a little raw, but it'll probably make your skin crawl nonetheless.

October Horror Movie of the Day #14 - Hellraiser

The Film: Hellraiser
The Director: Clive Barker
The Cast: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence
Release Date: September 18. 1987

After many viewings over many years, Hellraiser remains one of the most unsettling films I've ever seen. Though it's not as polished as most horror films with great reputations, Clive Barker's tale set a high bar for future torture films.  The film follows a family who moves into the home where the husband's brother opened a gateway to hell, releasing a team of demons known as Cenobites into their home.

I've never found Hellraiser to be an entirely successful film, but once the Cenobites show up - led by Doug Bradley's Pinhead and his proclamation that they "will tear your soul apart" - the film becomes a total nightmare.  The creature effects overcome some silly visual effects, and survivor girl Ashley Laurence (and her incomprehensible hair) does a fine job of carrying the film and helping the viewer relate.  And, after more than 10 years since I first saw it, there are still moments of gore here that make me cover my eyes.  That's a winner!

Quote of the Day

"A zebra does not change its spots."
- Al Gore 1991 (and again in 1992)

October Horror Movie of the Day #13 - Triangle

The Film: Triangle
The Director: Christopher Smith
The Cast: Melissa George, Rachael Carpani, Liam Hemsworth
Release Date: October 16, 2009

One of the most surprisingly daunting horror films of the past year, Christopher Smith's Triangle is a film that intimidates me greatly.  I've considered writing about it numerous times, but never have I been able to wrap my head around the film's complex structure.  This is most certainly the type of horror film that you'll be confused about while it's going on, and one that will probably leave you talking about it long after the credits roll.

Following a single mother (30 Days of Night and The Amityville Horror's Melissa George) who embarks on a doomed boat trip with some friends, the film pairs an ax toting killer with the intrigue of the Bermuda Triangle; setting up a web of suspense and fear that provides palpable tension.  George gives an incredibly strong performance in the lead, and helps carry the twisting film.  The final reveals are handled perfectly, and cement Triangle as one of the most fascinating psychological horror films I've seen.

Bruce Willis and Zach Galifianakis go Between Two Ferns

If you know The Mike, you know he loves some Bruce Willis.  So much so that he's stoked out of his mind for this weekend's Red, even though it's surprisingly rated PG-13.  (I mean, if they're supposed to be old people, they should probably swear a lot.  That's what old people do.)  Regardless, Bruce Willis rules.

And now, he's gone on one of the web's favorite talk shows, Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis, as originally shown on Funny Or Die. And now, you can watch it here.

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Bruce Willis from Bruce Willis

As I said, you can check out Willis this weekend in Red, and Galifianakis will be back on the big screen opposite Robert Downey, Jr. in Due Date on November 6th.  In the meantime, I'd still like to know if Bruce did worry that The Whole Ten Yards would be too good.

October Horror Movie of the Day #12 - The Exorcist

The Film: The Exorcist
The Director: William Friedkin
The Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Jason Miller
Release Date: December 26, 1973.

I don't know how much time I've spent pondering The Exorcist.  If I had I put that amount of time toward anything practical, I'd be pretty amazing at whatever that practical thing is.

Others often find it funny when I say it, but I honestly find The Exorcist to be one of the most enjoyable films ever made.  In the moment, it's a harrowing experience that features a lot of scares, some of the creepiest imagery put on film, and a whole dollop of of intensity that's sure to keep the viewer on edge.  But the experience is not just about finding fear, it's about finding faith.  It's an exploration of the forces that might exist in the world, the forces that don't care if we believe in them or if we don't.  The actors, particularly Jason Miller as the jaded Father Karras, seem to know this and sell it well.  Director William Friedkin has said that the film is "a positive statement about God, the human condition, and the relationship between the two". 

I've wasted a lot of words on this movie over the years, and I've never said it better than that.  If you haven't seen The Exorcist yet, do so.  It's worth every lofty bit of praise that's ever been lobbed in its direction.

28 Months Later!?!?!?

Danny Boyle is set to return to direct the sequel to 28 Weeks Later.  Rumor has it the title may be 28 Months Later.  No other details are available at this time.  Are you excited for the film!?!?

Quote of the Day

“I just want one day off when I can go swimming and eat ice cream and look at rainbows.”
-Mariah Carey before entering rehab

October Horror Movie of the Day #11 - The Slumber Party Massacre

The Film: The Slumber Party Massacre
The Director: Amy Holden Jones
The Cast: Michele Michaels, Robin Stille, Michael Villella
Release Date: November 12, 1982

You have to squint really hard to see it - or at the very least set your brain to "receive" and let it wash over you - but The Slumber Party Massacre is more than it seems to be.  What some viewers miss about this slasher flick, which offers up a lot of the boobs and blood you'd expect, is that it was designed to be a statement against the average male dominated slasher flick of the '80s.

In fact, Slumber Party Massacre happens to be one of the few films of its type to be directed and written entirely by women.  Director Amy Jones and writer Rita Mae Brown take steps to show the drill that is used by the male killer as a phallic symbol, and the girls are painted into the type of extreme stereotypes that these movies made famous.  The idea, I guess, is to point out the idiocy of these films by going too far over the top.  The flick isn't entirely successful at pulling off its feminist goals - at the end of the day, it can easily be mistaken for just another stupid slasher flick - but it's an interesting piece of horror nostalgia that has a few tricks up its sleeves.

(Ummmm....I can't really show you the trailer for this flick without moving this blog into the R-rated district.  It's on YouTube, if you want to see what you're in for....)

Napoleon Dynamite to be Animated

In tv news, Fox recently picked up the a new animated series for next year-Napoleon Dynamite!  John Heder will be returning to voice Napoleon, Efran Ramirez as Pedro, and John Gries as Uncle Rico.  Six episodes have been ordered!  I really enjoyed the movie but not sure how I feel about it being an animated series.  It could be interesting! 

Quote of the Day

 "Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researches also discovered other similarities between the two, but can't remember what they are."
- Matt Lauer, Today Show, NBC

Cebu Pacific Fas Dancing

Celebrating too early!!

Texas Tech onside kick goes terribly wrong!!