31 days of spooky media
- Monica
- Oct 8, 2018
- 9 min read
This is my blog and I'll do what I want. It's the most wonderful time of the year for a little weirdo zombie-lover. I love talking horror and I don't get to do it enough, nor do I consume as much of it as I'd love to. So every day this month, I will "review" or say a few words about a dark story. You know I'm trying to lay off the television, so I'm including books, too!
31 days of spooky media
Veronica, Netflix. This is one of the better haunting/paranormal movies I’ve seen in a long time. Pleasantly spooky. It’s scary, fun and will make you sleep with the lights on...but won’t torment your dreams forever. It also cleverly found a way to make the Simon game terrifying.
Absentia, TV Show, Amazon Prime. This I’m counting as spooky because it’s a mystery...and a thrilling one at that. I hate it when things are described as ‘binge-worthy’ because it’s encouraging ‘tv-worship’ culture, which is a high-and-mighty statement coming from a TV blogger. Personally, I try to keep out of that habit, but this show tested me, because I needed to know what happened next and I needed to know THAT night. I would highly recommend it because it keeps you guessing even if you think ‘I’ve seen this story, I know how it ends…’.
Raw, Netflix. Let’s go back to Horror, to the good stuff. This film was described in a film review as “the teen-cannibal film that makes grown men faint”, so of course I NEEDED to watch it. I was not disappointed, though I will say it takes an unexpected direction---I expected campy and gruesome and though gruesome depending on your standard of comparison (by mine it was tame), it was more thought-provoking and serious than I anticipated. Full marks.
A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell, Novel. This is quite possibly….one of the worst books I have read recently. In fact, in recent history it is, just tempted to how far back I can go before I read a worse one. I have to admit, part of the reason it went down so horribly was that it was compared to a certain book (that I happen to love) in a book review, which made this story even more predictable. But I have to admit both books (the other will remain unnamed but it’s not hard to guess if you’re familiar with both stories) were predictable to me, but A Simple Favor was not enjoyable along the way. There’s nothing likeable about any of the characters. It’s a book that is constantly frustrating, annoying and predictable. The only redeeming thing, because I will give it one, is that the characters call out our main character Stephanie for making a big deal about a dumb secret. And Stephanie’s secret is well not exactly dumb, she is extremely melodramatic about it.
Truth or Dare, Redbox. For some reason the thought that crossed my mind after watching this was, ‘well, it was better than Friend Request’. I watched for a fun, sorta cheesy horror movie, and that is what I got. It was reminiscent of Final Destination---no one is calling this movie high-brow, but it is exactly what we’re looking for. For what it was, it was surprisingly well-constructed and despite a ‘dumb concept’ well-written and contained a few surprises.
Malevolent, Netflix. This was an interesting one… First off, it was a good little movie. It was not scary, but that doesn’t hurt the film. It was tense when it needed to be and stayed more on the suspenseful side than the jump-scare side. From a filmmaking perspective, it was very interesting because it was a well-telegraphed movie. I didn’t know how the story would pan out from the first scene, but every scene fed into the next one smoothly, and I knew bit by bit what was about to happen. Like I said, it was interesting. It’s one I’d love to talk more in depth, but I don’t want to spoil it.
Bernie, DVD. I count this movie as spooky, because it strikes me as a “true-crime story” that people love when they don’t love “true crime”. It’s kind of like how people love Phantom of the Opera, but might never go to the actual Opera...it’s like...child’s play. Jack Black did an amazing job, and the movie was good...but I’ll be far more interested in Zac Efron playing Ted Bundy.
Slender man, in theatres. Some may question why I thought this movie might be good to begin with. Slenderman, as a paranormal story invented and blown up by the internet, is such an interesting phenomenon, that I was curious how they would dramatize it. Turns out, with the internet...and also science! Overall, it had a sliver of a neat concept buried between a few creepy scenes and scenes of teenagers googling.
Alice isn't dead, podcast. Excellent podcast from the minds behind "Welcome to Nightvale". It stars Jasika Nicole as she searches through the bizarre truth behind her wife's disappearance, as she provides American gothic-esque insights along the way. Listen through the first episode, do not turn it off until you reach the end. It is tense, at times chilling, and beautifully eerie. Season 3 came out in April. The novel re-telling which I am very interested in reading comes out Halloween!
The Visit, Fox Network Website. This was a fun one. Yes, it comes from the director who has disappointed us one too many times, but this movie isn't bad. The characters are likable, and even if you want to guess what's coming next, the way we get there is enjoyable. I would put it in the less scary pile, but I was impressed by the character arcs and drama.
Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith, book and audiobook. Having never seen the film, (only Throw Mama from the Train and Horrible Bosses), I did not expect the story to go the way it did. Of course, as I was reading it, it made sense to go the way it did. What kind of person would suggest that a stranger commit murder for him? The book is more about the devolving of these characters, in almost a Crime and Punishment type way, than the plans to murder themselves. Also, being an older piece of literature, it will read a bit slow to modern audiences, but if you're prepared for that, go ahead and check it out.
Rufus Rex, Dead Beat, available to listen on youtube, spotify, or purchase on Amazon. A spooky new music discovery. Curtis Rx is the front man of Creature Feature, one of my favorite bands from 2008 (which you should also check out if you like the link below). Rufus Rex is his solo project, which I am only going to describe as Oingo Boingo riding a haunted carousel. Also, this album is a "lovecraftian concept album" that tells the story of a man trying to unlock the secrets of immortality, but instead unlocks a demon. Check out the first track here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clW3ZraRxGk
Mara, DVD. This film does well what many films have been failing to do lately, which is establish clear rules and use them effectively to build tension. I also thought it was quite effective that they only showed "Mara" --- the sleep demon, in shadows or extreme close-ups, so she seemed to be made entirely of limbs, which I thought was extra spooky. Mostly, I appreciated the nods to Nightmare on Elm Street, my favorite film franchise, in a few subtle ways. All in all, decent film.
End of the F***ing World, Netflix. I wanted this to be a lot funnier in that edgy British way, say like Misfits in the Apocalypse. No, it was just sort of okay. The characters are edgy, sometimes funny. But nothing was nearly funny enough to make up for the fact that the plot is one teenager makes plans to murder a girl while she falls in love with him. It's more painful, awkward or dark than funny.
Creep, Netflix. Creep is a slow burn. It's never entirely too scary while watching, but it does have some tense moments, that build and build and build...until the tape ends. And then you're like okay, that was a fun movie, Mark Duplass was absolutely excellent...and then you think for a bit...that was a GOOD movie...no that was a GREAT movie. And I just keep thinking about it and finding a new thing to be in awe of.
Crypt Fables, Crypt TV, Youtube. I just discovered CryptTV, which is a series of horror short film channel on youtube. They take submissions from indie filmmakers and release horror shorts every week and even have serialized content. Some of it is odd, some of it is gross and every once in awhile there is a great one. This may be multiple items on this list as I explore their content. Crypt Fables has been the most interesting so far--an anthology series that is exactly what it sounds like. Here's one of my favorites: Mira, Mira https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcuD9L_CHCo
A Head Full of Ghosts, Paul Tremblay. This is one of the best books I have read all year. I can't recommend it enough! The book is a retrospective about a girl who "fakes" possession and an exorcism told by the younger sister's point of view, both in flashbacks and how she analyzes it years later. Even if you don't enjoy horror it is worth the read, horror fans even more so. Check it out.
The Body, Hulu. This was fantastic. An interesting twist on what is essentially a slasher film. If you're morally ambivalent you want everyone to succeed...but you also know that somebody has to die. It combines thrills with a sense of humor that is much more sardonic than silly. Also, stars White Josh.
Over the Garden Wall, Hulu. This is a fun, charming mini-series about two kids lost in the woods, that has some spooky twists. It's an animated story, that while being G-rated, has a mature darkness to it that is sure to appeal to adults. Still not convinced...it stars Elijah Wood as the annoyed older brother. Give it a shot.
Sunny Family Cult, Crypt TV, youtube. This is one of Crypt TV's original series, which at first glance has deep roots for a television series: interesting characters with potential arcs, a deep well of conflict, and a new concept. After a couple episodes, it seems to be just that: a proof of concept, and a series of murder scenes. It's entertaining, just don't expect it to go anywhere.
Charmed, CW. For someone who was a not a big fan of the original series, I was ridiculously excited for the reboot. I was not disappointed. But let's be clear, it is not a masterpiece (neither was the original), and it's not remarkably better than any other supernatural show---but it is a show about three strong females with powers, and that's awesome. Plus, one of the sisters is gay! The pilot episode does spend some time being woke about consent and sexual assault allegations---which is an important message for an influential network to be selling to young people, and I hope they incorporate it into the plot more instead of just a soapbox sidenote. (Edit: The second episode hits the ground running, without a soapbox)
Two Sentence Horror Stories, CW Seed/Stage 13. The CW has added short-form content on their website and has sponsored some independent webseries' such as this one: Two-sentence horror stories. This prompt has been circulated the internet for years and now some brilliant filmmakers have brought them to life in embellished, cerebral ways. I've enjoyed how each short I've watched so far has been more of a mind game than a simple slasher or ghost story.
Pet Sematary, DVD. A local theatre had a showing in preparation for the remake that will come out sometime in the next year. Pet Sematary is a treat. It is both classic Stephen King and classic cheap 90s horror. As long as the effects are working, no one cares about the acting. Which thank goodness, because in my opinion, if the acting was good, we would have nothing to enjoy about this movie. The old man, whose name I can't remember, has some amazing lines that come off in the most unnatural way---probably taken straight from the novel. As classic Stephen King, it builds slow, culminating in a tense, graphic knife fight. If you enjoy Chucky and for some reason haven't seen Pet Sematary, you're in for a treat!
Haunting of Hill house, Netflix. What we enjoy about this Netflix series is the focus on the characters and the drama between the family. The haunting, or alleged haunting, depending on which sibling you believe, is a spooky current that runs through a story about a family dealing with loss.
The Black Tapes, Podcast. This is faked documentary about ghost hunters, which takes a special interest in Richard Strand, a paranormal expert dedicated to disproving the paranormal, or attributing it to science. But as he says, the burden of proof relies on the people who are claiming these events to be paranormal, which 'they haven't yet done'...but I'm pretty convinced.
War and peas, Webcomic. Here's some light fun---Halloween-themed web comics. It doesn't do justice to describe them, so just go read them! https://warandpeas.com/
The Girl with All the Gifts, Amazon Prime. What--a zombie movie I hadn't heard of? I don't know how this movie was never on my radar because it is spectacular! It's a zombie film that manages a unique spin and unique characters AND stars Glenn Close. If that's something you're into. Also, it's not about the outbreak...it's about the world 10 or so years after the outbreak, which is part of what makes it so innovative.
Nine Twilights, Comic. A serialized webcomic that follows a teenage girl who finds out she is latest incarnation of Odin (yep, THE Odin of Asgard), and...this comes with big responsibilities. It's a beautifully drawn, thrilling read...and because she has to fight draugars, I'm counting it as spooky adjacent! Some of the panels truly are spooky and terrifying. http://www.ninetwilights.com/
Haunted Honeymoon, Video purchase. While trying to watch Gene Wilder's Haunted Honeymoon online, I came across this preview from the 1940's Haunted Honeymoon.( http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/113207/Haunted-Honeymoon-Original-Trailer-.html ) It looks amazing, but I can't recommend it yet, be patient while I track it down. The 1986 version is both frightening and ridiculous, in all the right ways.
The google doodle Ghost game. You can still play it here! https://www.google.com/doodles/halloween-2018
Happy Halloween! Here's an awesome cover of Grim, grinning ghosts. youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBxF7T6u_rQ
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