Dismembering Horror

This week we tackle a film that pops up on the occasional horror list, but also toes the line between detective noir and supernatural thriller. “Angel Heart” has some exceptional elements, and although it may not have worked for us in every regard, we see why it has garnered a cult following. Mickey Rourke is… well, insane; insanely good! With “a special appearance by” Robert De Niro and his luscious, long hair that Tim couldn’t help but envy, and a truly incredible sex-scene-as-horror-scene, “Angel Heart” earned a “rent” from Ryan, and a “stream” from Tim, though we admit that may belie the quality of this cross-genre film.

Angel Heart (1987)

Written and Directed by Alan Parker

Where we watched: Amazon Prime

RecommenDEADtions: The Swimmer / A Place in the Sun

Not only did we finally watch “Goosebumps,” a movie based on the book series near and dear to Ryan’s heart, but Tim managed to get through an entire episode without swearing (quite the feat you’ll know, if you’re a regular listener). Our first ever family-friendly show! Anywho… “Goosebumps” proved to be surprisingly well-executed and enjoyable, earning it a “rent” from Ryan until he has kids at which point he’ll be a “buy,” and just a regular “rent” from Tim. Somewhat ironically, this PG-rated movie also holds the honor of containing the biggest scare moment for Ryan in all the films we’ve watched. Listener beware, you’re in for a scare...

Goosebumps (2015)

Directed by Rob Letterman

Written by Darren Lemke

Where we watched: iTunes rental

RecommenDEADtions: Goosebumps: Escape From Horrorland (PC game) / Aladdin (2019)

Let’s not parse words here: this “sidequel” to the sequel to the remake of the third installment of the Japanese horror series is bad. Like really, really bad; like we both said to “avoid” it, like “give us our money back” bad. BUT, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t much to dismember. In fact, the dismembering is in full force, as we try to figure out how exactly the last two decades of the worst of horror clichés managed to reach such new, unfathomable heights.

RecommenDEADtions: Sadako vs. Kayako / A Haunting on Brockway Street

Where we watched: Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood

The Grudge (2020)

Written and Directed by Nicolas Pesce

DOUBLE “BUY” ALERT! That’s right folks, Tim and Ryan loved this week’s film so much that they both want it on their shelves. “From Beyond” is a mind-bending, head-twisting, pineal-gland-growing, trip of a film, with body horror and practical effects that scratched every itch we had. From the same people that brought us “Re-Animator” and “Society,” how could we not love it? Get in and get out as soon as you can, and watch “From Beyond” before it gets YOU!

From Beyond (1986)

Directed by Stuart Gordon

Written by Stuart Gordon, Brian Yuzna, Dennis Paoli

Where we watched: Amazon rental

RecommenDEADtions: My Dinner with Andre / Rattlesnake

If you could have seven wishes come true, one might wish for a couple of stupid things first. But once you realized they came with a price, just maybe you’d want to do more than wish away Ryan Phillipe’s chin-beard. “Wish Upon” was full of dumb or just non-existent logic, dumpster-diving dads, jaw-droppingly unironic clichés, and what are apparently the most amazing curtain rods ever made... and SOME fun deaths. It wasn’t enough to make it past a double “stream” from the guys, but thanks to the amusing-enough ridiculousness of it all, they didn’t completely hate it.

Wish Upon (2017)

Directed by John R. Leonetti

Written by Barbara Marshall

Where we watched: Amazon rental

RecommenDEADtions: Ma / Unbelievable

For this week’s film, “Hide and Seek,” there was surprisingly little hiding and seeking (but maybe being a South Korean film, there was something lost in translation?). Despite some cool ideas and visuals, this one left us wanting to use the protagonist’s signature move of grasping desperately for a blunt object that’s just out of reach and smashing it over our own heads. In the end, neither of us could find more than a “stream” rating for “Hide and Seek”—but it did lead us into an interesting discussion about class and wealth disparity... so there’s that!

Hide and Seek (Sumbakkokjil) (2013)

Written and Directed by Jung Huh

Where we watched: Amazon rental

RecommenDEADtions: Parasite / Once Upon A Time In The West

Finally, some Cronenberg! Out the gate with his first feature we get “Shivers,” a delicious, parasitical commentary on sexuality, futurism, corporate utopia, Canadianism… Well okay, those are just guesses, but let’s be honest: there are some interesting ideas here (and some even more interesting kooky characters). AND of course, some gooey, bloody, creepy, fleshy, body-horror. So despite some glaring shortcomings, it’s still very Cronenberg (a big plus, in our book). Earning a double “stream,” it doesn’t rise to his future greatness, but certainly paves the way.

Shivers (1975)

Written and Directed by David Cronenberg

Where we watched: Amazon rental

RecommenDEADtions: Lady and the Tramp (2019) / The Movies That Made Us (TV show)

What is it about Sam Neill going crazy? He’s just that good at it. John Carpenter picked the right lead guy for this week’s film, another lovely decent into well, madness; but this time with a fun meta spin! Not to mention some amazing creature design. “In The Mouth Of Madness” earned a “buy” from Ryan and a “rent” from Tim. Things get appropriately nutty in our discussion real fast, so we hope to leave you asking yourself: “Do you read Sutter Cane?”

In The Mouth Of Madness (1994)

Directed by John Carpenter

Written by Michael De Luca

Where we watched: Amazon rental

RecommenDEADtions: Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (Gamecube game) / Botched Up Bodies (TV show)

What more could you ask for than an 1980’s slasher with Terry O’Quinn murdering multiple families? Nothing? Well good, because that’s what we got with this week’s film, “The Stepfather.” Maybe not the best piece of cinema we’ve experienced, but enjoyable on certain fronts nonetheless. With a “rent” from Ryan and a “stream” from Tim, we agree Mr. O’Quinn pretty single-handedly holds the film together. Plus, if you want to hear Tim go on an intense 45 second rant, get on into this episode to find out what 80's slasher trope got him so worked up!

The Stepfather (1987)

Directed by Joseph Ruben

Written by Donald E. Westlake

Where we watched: Amazon rental

RecommenDEADtions: Krisha / My Favorite Murder Ep. 29 "John List"

ENOUGH IS NEVER ENOUGH! We found out how true these words really are in the king of low-budget satire, Larry Cohen’s, “The Stuff.” It’s the tale of what happens when a mysterious, white goo bubbles up from the ground and some guy just goes ahead AND TASTES IT! But there’s more: the goo basically possesses you, eats you from the inside out, and… well, you get the picture. Despite (or more likely, because of) the low-budgetiness and Cohen’s completely insane logic and style, “The Stuff” earned a sturdy “rent” from Ryan and a joyful “buy” from Tim.

The Stuff (1985)

Written and Directed by Larry Cohen

Where we watched: Amazon Prime

RecommenDEADtions: The Game Changers / The Black Hole