Dismembering Horror

We'll be back Thursday, February 17th dismembering the new "Scream" movie!

A quick hello and some more Gremlins tidbits.

♫ It’s beginning to look a lot like ♫ you shouldn’t feed them after midnight! Yes that’s right folks, your favorite horror hounds are tackling an all time classic for the holiday season! The timeless “Gremlins” continues to entertain; and how could it not when each of the guy’s first viewings occurred at the impressionable age of about 6 years old. This viewing brought back those core memories of a dog wrapped in twinkling lights, the bathroom buddy, and everyone’s favorite mom violently shoving a small lizard monster into the blender and hitting puree. This was a no-brainer double “buy”, although there were a few items up for debate in our “what did not work” section. Come cozy up by the fire with your favorite Mogwai and have a listen.

Where we watched: Blu-ray

Gremlins (1984)

Directed by Joe Dante

Written by Chris Columbus

RecommenDEADtions:  Raya and the Last Dragon / The Eternals

Next film: Scream (2022)

Did we happen upon a snowy diamond in the rough? Did the holiday spirit take over and deliver us a wonderfully wrapped gift with a nice bow on top? Somewhat strange to say, but the answer is YES! Why is that strange to say? Well for starters, “Jack Frost” is incredibly stupid, and yet somehow manages to be extremely funny, irreverent, well-executed, *smart* dumb fun. Ryan and Tim both gave it a “rent” and had heaps of things to dismember. Just don’t mistake this for the Michael Keaton flick!

Where we watched: Shudder

Jack Frost (1997)

Directed by Michael Cooney

Written by Michael Cooney and Jeremy Paige‎

RecommenDEADtions:  The Beatles: Get Back / Hawkeye (TV show)

Next film: Gremlins (1984)

A quick hello and an update from us. Happy Thanksgiving 2021, everyone!

Let’s get our Edgar Wright on in what he refers to as his “dark valentine to Soho,” and boy is he (w)right! A psychological roller coaster, with a murder mystery twist that fits the swingin' aesthetic, there was much to like about “Last Night In Soho,” as well as a few things that garnered criticism. Nonetheless, the guys were big fans of this one. With a why-not “buy” rating from Ryan and a “rent” from Tim, maybe a second viewing is necessary to fully appreciate this one. Twist our arms why don’t ya!

Last Night in Soho (2021)

Directed by Edgar Wright

Written by Edgar Wright and Krysty Wilson-Caims

Where we watched: Theaters

RecommenDEADtions:  Margot at the Wedding / The Landlady (short story)

Next film: something Christmas-y 

There was a beast, and it did have five fingers, but it wasn’t a disembodied hand, it was PETER LORRE! Or was it? You’ll have to contemplate that question with us as we dismember what might be a hidden gem of yesteryear. The Scooby-doo-ness was in full effect for this who/whydunnit murder mystery with an added spooktastic, supernatural bent. The guys rated "The Beast with Five Fingers" a double “rent”—high praise for a could-be-classic that eerily knocked on the door of a “buy”. 

The Beast With Five Fingers (1946)

Directed by Robert Florey

Written by Curt Siodmak, William Fryer Harvey, Harold Goldman

Where we watched: Blu-ray

RecommenDEADtions:  Dark Water (2002) / The Night House

Next week’s film: Last Night in Soho (2021)

...or better yet, let’s get super seventies spooky with this hidden gem! Watching the titular Jessica unravel at the hands of a spectral vampire entity in the countryside of damp New England may have been enough to make us giddy, but sprinkle in the seventies indie vibes and you’ve got a real veritable feast at our fangs. Having said that, there are some flaws that keep this one from being perfect, but it still earns a double “rent” from the guys. Do yourself a favor and turn out the lights, curl up by the fire, and get a hold of a copy of this moody beauty of a movie.

Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (1971)

Directed by John D. Hancock

Written by John D. Hancock, Lee Kalcheim, Sheridan Le Fanu

Where we watched: Blu-ray

RecommenDEADtions:  Ginger Snaps / Midnight Mass

Next week’s film: The Beast With Five Fingers (1946)

We’ve made it to part four of four of our episodes covering the third entries of the big famous horror franchises! Being the closest to Halloween (the holiday), we appropriately finish with Halloween (the series). We had one of our occasional divisive reactions to “Halloween III: Season of the Witch.” Ryan loved being driven scared-crazy by the infamous, in-film TV jingle, while Tim hated being driven actually-crazy by it. And Ryan loved so much more, and Tim disliked so much more! So with respective ratings of “buy it” and “stream it,” plenty of dismemberment was still to be had (especially when you have such a nutzo story).

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

Written and Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace

Where we watched: Blu-ray

RecommenDEADtions:  Christine / The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (TV show)

Next week’s film: Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (1971)

BACK TO THE THEATER WE GO! Alright, despite what Twitter says, the guys went into “Halloween Kills” with high hopes and left with even higher hopes... for an amazing conclusion to the David Gordon Green trilogy! Because we loved it! What a ride through Haddonfield this film was. “Kills” is right! So many kills, and so little time. The guys plunge deep into the chest of what makes Michael Myers tick, and even speculate on how one does take evil down. Earning a double “buy,” you’ll have to listen to find out all this, and SO much more.

Halloween Kills (2021)

Directed by David Gordon Green

Written by Scott Teems, Danny McBride, and David Gordon Green

Where we watched: Theater

RecommenDEADtions: The Craft: Legacy / The Great British Bake Off (TV show)

Next week’s film: Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)