Classic Horror Lovers discussion
Movies and TV Talk
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What are you watching to get yourself in the mood for Halloween?
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Michael
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Oct 30, 2010 05:45PM
Not a big fan of BABY JANE either but i'll watch it if nothing else is on TV. Love Price chewing up the scenery.
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I think The Tingler is on tomorrow...be ready to scream so it doesn't break you back. :)
Ah right, well I only heard of TCM recently and don't normally watch it. But I was looking forward to seeing some decent horror for a change (the Horror Channel is a joke, as is the SyFy channel)
MADHOUSE (1974) - Vincent Price stars as an aging horror film star who returns from retirement after a ghastly murder to resume his horror character Dr. Death in a new film - but someone dressed as Dr. Death (in a very cool skull-masked costume) is killing people connected to the new project. Is Price going mad? This is quite a nice little film - in a way, it resonates with Price's DR. PHIBES/THEATER OF BLOOD pulp horror-comic films, but in an inverted way - here we see the catty, sour, backbiting world of Hollywood's death merchants ironically succumb to the murder machines of their scenarios in the real world (which makes it resonate with SCREAM as well). Adrienne Corri in particular has a pointed role as a cast-off victim of Hollywood cretins ("they'd tell us there were guys who beat up women just for fun"). There's also the palpable feeling of a moment in which the horror film has cast away the Gothic trappings as hokum, yet was unwilling to embrace the apocalyptic terrors of THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, and so it grabs at self-awareness and mad-killer symbols (giallo gets touched on with definitive shots of black gloves getting pulled onto the killer's hands, and the faux Dr. Death costume looks like something out of the Edgar Wallace krimi films). Nice clips from the AIP Price Poe films as well.LAKE MUNGO (2008) - I checked out this Australian mockumentary style (can I say that I hate that term - for me it means a comedy take on a documentary style, not just a false documentary style) film about a family seemingly haunted by the ghost of their drowned daughter. Things are not what they seem, and yet are. Very effective but those who found PARANORMAL ACTIVITY boring should avoid. The final image on the cell phone is quite disturbing and effective in what is essentially a profoundly sad film. I liked (what I guess is) the deliberate shout out to TWIN PEAKS by naming the family Palmer, seeing as how the plot involves a teenage girl loved by everyone who is actually "full of secrets" and a dually-shared dream/vision that stretches through time from two angles to unite two people. Good stuff.
MUMSY, NANNY, SONNY AND GIRLY (1969) - I finally got to see this obscure film, which I've been looking for since reading about it in Phil Hardy's The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Horror sometime in the mid-80s. It showed up on Netflix play-on-demand (retitled as simply GIRLY). It's a black humored, macabre piece about a family of wealthy psychopaths who live a life of arrested development (Girly and Sonny are much older than they act, reciting nursery rhymes, sleeping in cribs and playing games on the spacious ground of the rotting old pile of a mansion. Mumsy and Nanny live only to look after their "dear, dear children"), occasionally finding a homeless drunk or transient to kidnap and keep at home, playing games with the newcomer until they inevitably break the rules and have to be "sent to heaven". Enter their newest "friend", a seedy male prostitute who doesn't realize how deep he's in over his head until it's too late. Then, he begins to play the eternal family dynamic against itself, leading to a homicidal meltdown. ("TONY CHESTNUT!!!") Not for everyone, but I liked it quite a bit (you get a decapitation, a nasty fall, death by arrows, an unseen axe murder and an unexpected beating). Michael Bryant (who I just re-watched in THE STONE TAPE a few weeks ago) as the "new friend" may not be anybody's idea of a ladykiller (seedy and weedy, cheesy mustache and bags under his eyes) but he makes an interesting main character - the fact that the family refers to the friends by what number room they occupy, and the snazzy burgundy school jacket (with blue piping) they make him wear, made me feel like the film had some strange kinship with much-loved TV show THE PRISONER. Nice Freddie Francis direction (all the outdoor scenes feel like they take place in eternal, watery, early morning light) and everyone's acting is excellent here - I swear that Pat Heywood's characterization of Nanny was a direct inspiration for Patsy Byrne's hilarious "Nursie" character in the BLACKADDER II TV show (either that, or all British Nurse/Nanny's are cut from the same cloth). I'd like to read the source play (Maisie Mosco's HAPPY FAMILY) and the novella version by screenwriter Brian Comport mentioned on Wikipedia.
Shawn wrote: "LAKE MUNGO..."i'm really going to have to check this one out. you make the film sound really compelling and right up my alley.
I saw Thirst last night a korean vampire thriller by the great director Park who made Oldboy,vengance trilogy.It was amazing and a very mature modern take on the classic horror vampire. The one that is a monster who cant stop his urges for blood. No pretty boy,Angel witha a soul. Not a vampire totally in control. Huge powers but also big weaknesses.
Exactly my ideal take on the vampire story.
Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Mike, I am totally with you on the slasher movies. I can't stand them."
Me also! you couldn't pay me to see one of those. Someone should have paid me to just see Season of the Witch which was too LOUD and horribly gory. My hubby liked it but I had stress all night and feared sleep. I liked the witch...sigh...who did turn out to be possessed by something like out of Alien. I am NEVER going to the movie theater again...that was it for me.
Lady Alice Rowhedge
(a ghost from Norah Lofts writings) also perhaps a witch but that is not proven!
Me also! you couldn't pay me to see one of those. Someone should have paid me to just see Season of the Witch which was too LOUD and horribly gory. My hubby liked it but I had stress all night and feared sleep. I liked the witch...sigh...who did turn out to be possessed by something like out of Alien. I am NEVER going to the movie theater again...that was it for me.
Lady Alice Rowhedge
(a ghost from Norah Lofts writings) also perhaps a witch but that is not proven!
Larry wrote: "Valentines, whats that? ;)"
LOL! I already got out my old Victorian cards to cheer myself up. But you do remember the Valentines Day massacre?
LOL! I already got out my old Victorian cards to cheer myself up. But you do remember the Valentines Day massacre?
Well, I'm not old enough to remember it from personal experience.... :-)
Werner wrote: "Well, I'm not old enough to remember it from personal experience.... :-)"
but I think I do......;-)
but I think I do......;-)
I wish people would stop bringing that up...I told the feds I was home ......with my mother, really.(assumes a look of innocence)
You could not have been home with your mother. I was out with her that night.
Oh you were the one who wasn't at the.....I mean err, never mind you must have the night confused. We'll see you soon.....
Couldn't resist it Mike. My friends and I are so immature we still play the the "Ya Mama" game.
I have no idea what you're talking about...my alibi is rock solid.(Maturity is probably over rated anyway.)
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I wish people would stop bringing that up...I told the feds I was home ......with my mother, really.
(assumes a look of innocence)"
LOL!
(assumes a look of innocence)"
LOL!
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I have no idea what you're talking about...my alibi is rock solid.
(Maturity is probably over rated anyway.)"
guess so! Years ago my dr. told me she was going to turn me into a teenager and I think its finally happening!!!! took long enough.....
(Maturity is probably over rated anyway.)"
guess so! Years ago my dr. told me she was going to turn me into a teenager and I think its finally happening!!!! took long enough.....
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I just never grew up...."
That is much easier. I keep transitioning just like a werewolf. Or should that be transforming?
That is much easier. I keep transitioning just like a werewolf. Or should that be transforming?
Transition can be very transforming..... :)
has anyone been able to find a Norah Lofts book for Halloween yet? You may have to haunt old book stores to find one.
Hauntings: Is There Anybody There?
The Haunting of Gad's Hall
The Haunting of Gad's Hall
Afternoon of an AutocratorThe Devil in Clevely: which is the same book I have been told.
Hauntings: Is There Anybody There?
The Haunting of Gad's Hall
The Haunting of Gad's Hall
Afternoon of an AutocratorThe Devil in Clevely: which is the same book I have been told.
The classic old B&W films. I just love them--The Haunting, The Uninvited, The Innocents, Arsenic and Old Lace, Ghost and Mrs Muir, Dracula, Nosferatu.
I would like to see Arsenic and Old Lace again as its been ages but remember enjoying it.
I had a lot of fun last year at Halloween. I watched a ton of horror movies and read lots of horror too. Including a lot of classic horror. I'm hoping to make a repeat of it this year.
The Haunting (1963) is a brilliant film. I just snagged Ghostwatch (from the BBC-1992) on VHS... supposed to be a little controversial.
Mod
Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I'm already getting my October reading list put together."
Planning mine too and looking forward to October and hoping for early frost. Frost next month would be just fine with me.
Planning mine too and looking forward to October and hoping for early frost. Frost next month would be just fine with me.
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Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I would love an early frost. I am sick of this heat! I am going to check which Norah Lofts they have at the library this weekend."
Thanks, hope you get a good one and let me know as soon as you can please. Ask for my favorite: Afternoon of an Autocrat but The Haunting of Gad's Hall is very good too.
My sister Linda told me that it was 110 there yesterday in south Texas. I guess it must have broke a record.
Thanks, hope you get a good one and let me know as soon as you can please. Ask for my favorite: Afternoon of an Autocrat but The Haunting of Gad's Hall is very good too.
My sister Linda told me that it was 110 there yesterday in south Texas. I guess it must have broke a record.
Mod
It is revoltingly hot here in Southern California too -- which only makes me more eager for real fall, cool nights, and scary stories. Goodbye, summer! Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out!I have a free Kindle ghost-story compilation in the queue, The Haunters and the Haunted, and I just bought Let the Right One In. Those should do for a start.
Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "It was 112 here in the Austin area this weekend. It tied with a previous record."
So sorry, hope it has cooled. I had heard there are 60 fires in Texas now. It got down to around 52 last night and cold rain all night. Hope you get some soon. Keep praying.
So sorry, hope it has cooled. I had heard there are 60 fires in Texas now. It got down to around 52 last night and cold rain all night. Hope you get some soon. Keep praying.
Mod
Thanks Alice. There were a few deaths in Bastrop. Very sad.
Mod
Thanks Alice. There were a few deaths in Bastrop. Very sad.
Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Cathy, same here as far as the weather. Although it's been cool when I leave before sunrise to go to work. Doesn't stay cool.
The year I was pregnant 76 people died in Texas due to the horrible heat. The ac kept going out and I would have to get in the bathtub in cool water in order to survive. After that all I could think about was the cool mountains of Colorado and finally got here. It snowed last night in Cascade and I felt so much better that I was able to go for a haircut which I desperately needed. There is still an icy mist hanging and is probably snowing up on Pike's. I pray for you that you get to move here. But don't make the mistake I did of moving up too high where there is no oxygen. I need to buy that t-shirt that says..."got Oxygen?" LOL
The year I was pregnant 76 people died in Texas due to the horrible heat. The ac kept going out and I would have to get in the bathtub in cool water in order to survive. After that all I could think about was the cool mountains of Colorado and finally got here. It snowed last night in Cascade and I felt so much better that I was able to go for a haircut which I desperately needed. There is still an icy mist hanging and is probably snowing up on Pike's. I pray for you that you get to move here. But don't make the mistake I did of moving up too high where there is no oxygen. I need to buy that t-shirt that says..."got Oxygen?" LOL
I hope it cools down for you all soon! :)
Mod
Thanks, Jason.
Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Yeah, that would be hard to deal with the thin air. When I stayed in Denver for a month, it didn't bother me, but we didn't feel especially high.
If you can hack Denver you wouldn't have a problem with Colorado Springs where the air is cleaner. I used to get very tired in Denver and was told it was coming up from 400 feet. Denver is liberal and Colorado Springs is military type and conservative. I am reading a great new fast read you might like: Catch.
My pulse is pounding.
Catch
If you can hack Denver you wouldn't have a problem with Colorado Springs where the air is cleaner. I used to get very tired in Denver and was told it was coming up from 400 feet. Denver is liberal and Colorado Springs is military type and conservative. I am reading a great new fast read you might like: Catch.
My pulse is pounding.
Catch
Mod
Thanks for the book recommendation, Alice.
The Garden of the Gods is fantastic. You would love it. There are gorgeous views and sights all around. It does take time to see it all.
Welcome.
Lady Alice Rowhedge
Thanks for the book recommendation, Alice."
Welcome.
Lady Alice Rowhedge
Thanks for the book recommendation, Alice."
I tend to love the Universal films with Lon Chaney/Boris Karloff. The Wolfman is my favorite. The scariest film for me is Nicholas Roegs Don't look now with Julie Christie.
Mod
I kind've name Lon Chaney an honorary werewolf, but to me the best werewolf movies do more than slap a little hair on a flat face. Excellent examples are "The Howling" "American Werewolf in London" "Dog Soldiers" "Bad Moon" "The Beast Must Die" and the "Underworld" series.
Though what really puts me in the mood for Halloween is a George Romero zombie movie. No one does zombies as well as he does.Another movie to rack your spine with is John Carpenter's "The Thing."
Mod
Actually, Dog Soldiers has more than its unfair share of gore, but that's part of why it is good. That and witty dialogue.Though The Howling has excellent plot and characters.
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Classic Horror Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
Catch (other topics)The Haunting of Gad's Hall (other topics)
The Devil in Clevely (other topics)
Afternoon of an Autocrat (other topics)
Hauntings: Is There Anybody There? (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Maisie Mosco (other topics)Phil Hardy (other topics)
