Dismembering Horror

This week we tackled a lesser-known film from 1970, but do not sleep on this one! “Equinox” is, as we discuss, the bridge between “The Blob” and “The Evil Dead,” and for that, is essential viewing in the compendium of horror films. Just—listen, just stop asking questions and watch it, it’s awesome: there is a stop-motion flying devil-demon. It’s so cool that Tim changed his rating from “rent” to “buy” and Ryan stayed with a hearty “rent.” So hike on out to that sunny SoCal forest-desert and give it a watch!

Equinox (1970)

Written and Directed by Jack Woods and Dennis Muren

Where we watched: The Criterion Channel

RecommenDEADtions: Old / Prospect

Next week’s film: Les Diaboliques (1955)

It’s special guest time! What better film to dismember with our very special guest, math meister and fellow horror fiend Dr. Andrew Williams, than “Event Horizon?” For our third and final installment covering the unofficial Sam Neill-losing-his-mind trilogy, not only did we delve deep into the darkness of cosmic horror, we also touched on the mathematical physics of the film thanks to our guest’s expertise. Earning a “rent” all around, you must join us for this ‘90s cult classic...lest you tempt the evil that lurks on the other side of space-time.

Event Horizon (1997)

Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson

Written by Philip Eisner

Where we watched: Blu-ray

RecommenDEADtions: Pig / What the Bleep Do We Know!? / The Twisted Ones (novel)

Next week’s film: Equinox (1970)

Don’t you dare sleep on this week’s film, “Jigoku”: a cautionary murder mystery with an absolutely nutso third act that will leave you in another plane of existence. “Jigoku” or “Hell” which it translates to, is wonderfully moody, visually masterful and cinematically disturbing. Even though the guys felt it waned a bit in the middle, the strangeness and dreamlike nature were enough to earn it a double “rent.”

Jigoku (1960)

Directed by Nobuo Nakagawa

Written by Nobuo Nakagawa, Ichirô Miyagawa

Where we watched: The Criterion Channel

RecommenDEADtions: Marie Antoinette / Sex Education (TV show)

Next week’s film: Event Horizon (1997)

After our previous dismemberment of “Exte: Hair Extensions,” we are once again taking an unpredictable dive into the curious mind of Japanese filmmaker Sion Sono with “Strange Circus”...and it was indeed strange! We found the film’s dream-of-consciousness flow, and twisty reality of the narrative, to be the perfect vehicle for dealing with such extreme subject matter, in that turned-to-11 way that Japanese films only know how to do. Despite what felt like a waffling middle chunk, Ryan and Tim both gave it a “rent,” as Sono’s unique, bloody bravado and filmmaking prowess on display was something well worth experiencing.

Where we watched: iTunes rental

Strange Circus (2005)

Written and Directed by Sion Sono

RecommenDEADtions: Suicide Club / Alone: The Beast (TV show)

Next week’s film: Jigoku (1960)

It’s that time again: time to get into the sequel of another classic. For this one we get to know the adolescent spawn of satan and all the angst that comes with that ever-so-challenging period in our lives when we hate our dads, fight with our friends, suffer the awkward changes of puberty, and systematically murder anyone who might threaten our standing as the Prince of Darkness positioning themselves for world domination through generational wealth. Anywho, “Damien: Omen II” had all the spectacle of a bigger and better sequel with its elaborate deaths, but maybe fell a little short with the interstitial story moments between kills. Nonetheless, Ryan couldn’t resist giving it a “buy” while Tim was a “stream.”

Damien: Omen II (1978)

Directed by Don Taylor and Mike Hodges

Written by Harvey Bernhard, David Seltzer, and Stanley Mann

Where we watched: Blu-ray

RecommenDEADtions: Sing Street / Blue Ruin

Next week’s film: Strange Circus (2005)

1988 was quite the year: Tim turned 10, was living in California, got super scared of Aliens, AND didn’t see this week’s film “Night of the Demons!” Hard to believe it escaped both Tim and Ryan’s young eyes, because chances are they would have loved it. Sadly, as adults the reviews were mixed. Ryan enjoyed the campy ridiculousness, giving it a “rent”, while Tim struggled to get past the derivative nature of it all, settling on a “stream.” Nonetheless, a good time was had by all, so come have a listen to this dismemberment of a cult classic.

Night of the Demons (1988)

Directed by Kevin S. Tenney

Written by Joe Augustyn

Where we watched: iTunes rental

RecommenDEADtions: Prometheus + Alien Covenant / Loki

Next week’s film: Damien: Omen II (1978)

Get your Dan Stevens fill right here right now with this week’s creepy-cult, folktale film! “Apostle” is a period-piece from the filmmaker that brought us “The Raid,” Gareth Evans. If you’re expecting an action packed punch fest, this isn’t the movie for you (well, save a couple cool scenes). Instead, we get a slow burn with a plethora of creative ideas, though they never quite seemed to coalesce into a cohesive film. NONETHELESS, the guys enjoyed aspects of “Apostle,” especially ‘Wicker Head’ (aptly named by Tim). Thus, the ratings amounted to a double “stream,” which makes perfect sense as it is streamable on Netflix.

Apostle (2018)

Written and Directed by Gareth Evans

Where we watched: Netflix

RecommenDEADtions: Darjeeling Limited / Legion

Next week’s film: Night of the Demons (1988)

Ok, don’t let Tim’s rating fool you. It’s not a condemnation of this film, it’s a matter of taste. That being said, you better strap yourself in and peel those eyelids back for this week’s film “Ichi The Killer,” because you are about to get a real eye-full! This movie is out of control, and the weird, Manga-esque, hyper-stylized, ultra-graphic, sadomasochistic, visual storytelling on display is something to behold. Speaking of holding things, prepare to try and hold down your lunch for a few scenes. All of this is to say we went on a serious journey with this film, resulting in a “rent” from Ryan and a rare (and previously explained) “avoid” from Tim. Join us for the conversation…before we cut off our own tongues.

Ichi the Killer (2001)

Directed by Takashi Miike

Written by Sakichi Sato and Hideo Yamamoto

Where we watched: Shudder

RecommenDEADtions: Tapestry by Carol King (album) / Heaven’s Gate: The Cult of Cults

Next week’s film: Apostle (2018)

The aughts: what a time to be alive and making weird horror films. This week’s entry “Splice” fits that bill, and is also a cool exercise in style (both the filmmaking itself and Adrien Brody and Sara Polley’s wardrobe)! This slick attempt at the “get your science on before science gets you” sub-genre, otherwise known as “should we or shouldn’t we do the super unethical experiment” sub-genre of horror, had its upsides with the design and some set pieces, but the guys were “spliced” on their enjoyment of this one with a “rent” from Ryan and a “stream” from Tim.

Splice (2009)

Directed by Vincenzo Natali

Written by Vincenzo Natali, Antoinette Terry Bryant, Doug Taylor

Where we watched: Blu-ray

RecommenDEADtions: House of 1000 Corpses / Bubba Ho-Tep

Next week’s film: Ichi the Killer (2001)

Based on real events! Barbara Hershey shines in this paranormal thriller that delves into some very upsetting content, but one thing’s for sure; Stan Winston’s full body prosthetic of her being groped by an invisible force is second to none. More like two separate movies, this one never quite reached the level of its more well-known contemporaries, but that didn’t keep it from earning a “rent” from Ryan on the merits of Ms. Hershey’s performance, while Tim stayed in his usual place with a “stream.” Either way, the guys still think this one is worth the watch and a fun delving into the actual case it’s based on.

The Entity (1982)

Directed by Sidney J. Furie

Written by Frank De Felitta

Where we watched: Blu-ray

RecommenDEADtions: 60 Minutes: Navy Pilots Describe Encounters With UFOs / The Bay

Next week’s film: Splice (2009)