Dismembering Horror

We did it, folks! We returned to a fan-favorite franchise to see what some new blood could do with rebooting a “classic.” The answer? Something... they did something; and that something wasn’t all that bad, either! While the new “Wrong Turn” took a wrong turn in certain regards, it took some right turns also (including the characters indeed taking the requisite wrong turn). Ultimately, this reboot was enjoyable enough in its own way, leading to a strong double “stream it” rating.

Wrong Turn (2021)

Written and Directed by Lucky McKee

Where we watched: Blu-ray

RecommenDEADtions: Right Now Wrong Then / Bound to Vengeance

Next week’s film: Communion (1989)

This week we got nostalgic and traveled back to the early 2000’s, tickling our fancy for that special place that yearns for simpler times with young Anna Ferris and Jeremy Sisto. While there, we also got a fun, hyper-quirky, Dark-with-capital-”D” tale of the titular misanthrope, May. Fitting perfectly into the transition from pre-9/11 tranquility to post-9/11 dark-and-gritty, “May” taps into a strange emptiness that kept us riding those ‘aughts vibes, leading to a “rent” from Ryan and a “stream” from Tim.

Where we watched: iTunes rental

May (2002)

Written and Directed by Lucky McKee

RecommenDEADtions: Seconds / The Silencing

Next week’s film: Wrong Turn (2021)

NEW RELEASE ALERT! Also, kick-ass horror film alert! The excitement was flowing for “Saint Maud,” our first new release film in a while, and what a joy to get such a crisp, haunting voice added to the horror realm via writer/director Rose Glass’ feature film debut. Firmly making her mark, “Saint Maud” delivers amazing performances, beautiful filmmaking, and eerie storytelling. You gotta get a hold of this one and see if you agree with our double “rent” (or perhaps you thought it deserved an outright “buy”)!

Saint Maud (2021)

Written and Directed by Rose Glass

RecommenDEADtions: Wake in Fright / Princess Mononoke

Where we watched: EPIX

Next week’s film: May (2002)

Hold onto your arms y’all, this is not one to sleep on. “Santa Sangre” comes to us straight from the ether thanks to acclaimed filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky, and his reputation definitely lived up to the hype. With a twinge of Giallo, and an elephant-coffin worth of deeply layered commentary, this magical movie is a bloody, trippy, sensual, irreverent piece of art. The guys split on their rating, but with Ryan being a “buy” and Tim inching toward a “buy” though remaining a “rent,” this one deserves a watch.

Santa Sangre (1989)

Directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky

Written by Alejandro Jodorowsky, Claudio Argento, and Roberto Leoni

Where we watched: Blu-ray

RecommenDEADtions: Shirkers / The Little Things

Next week’s film: Saint Maud

Let’s travel back over the Pacific to Taiwan for Mon Mon Mon Monsters (and no, we didn’t stutter)! This one paid off on the technical front: beautifully shot, cool camera work, and awesome composition. However, we didn’t think it quite made the cut on the story side despite there being some very cool subtext, and offering a fresh take on the vampire/zombie/voodoo cursed monster. With one absolute standout scene and an overall fun energy, Mon Mon Mon Monsters earned a healthy double “stream” from Tim and Ryan.

Mon Mon Mon Monsters (2017)

Written and Directed by Giddens Ko

Where we watched: Shudder

RecommenDEADtions: Flash Gordon / Super Dark Times

Next week’s film: Santa Sangre (1989)

Wait, back-to-back, pre-1950, Robert Louis Stevenson adaptations?! The hat knows! After being somewhat underwhelmed with last week’s “The Body Snatcher,” we had quite the opposite reaction with the 1931 version of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” From the sets, to the makeup, the performances, to the pre-code sultriness, this stands up with the great classics of its time and then some. It’s no surprise that it earned a double “buy” from the guys and will proudly sit on our horror shelf one day soon.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide (1931)

Directed by Rouben Mamoulian

Written by Samuel Hoffenstein and Percy Heath

Where we watched: iTunes rental

RecommenDEADtions: A Serious Man / Togo

Next week’s film: Mon Mon Mon Monsters (2017)

Bela and Boris are at it again! In their final film together Boris takes on more of a lead, and Bela shines as only Bela could in a far lesser role, in this tale of treachery from Robert Louis Stevenson. Excelling at macabre, morbid imagery, along with standout performances, “The Body Snatcher” fell short for us on some of the broader storytelling elements, but compelled us nonetheless with its amazing finale. Earning a “stream” from Tim and a “rent” from Ryan, this may be one that grows on us over time.

Where we watched: Amazon rental

The Body Snatcher (1945)

Directed by Robert Wise

Written by Philip MacDonald and Val Lewton

RecommenDEADtions: The Castle on Sunset: Life, Death, Love, Art, and Scandal at Hollywood's Chateau Marmont (book) / Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX

Next week’s film: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide (1931)

We tackle a listener submitted film and question this week: why the hype for these filmmakers? We do our best to answer that question as we delve into “The Endless,” from the directing team of Benson and Moorhead, starring Benson and Moorhead. This "Lovecraftian" tale picks up where the duo’s first film left off and carries on with maybe more explanation than Ryan and Tim wanted. Eerie, creepy, and sometimes thought provoking, the guys had a hard time pinpointing the acclaim garnered from the horror community, but do what they can to mine the elements that did work, in the end earning this one a double “stream.”

Where we watched: Netflix

The Endless (2017)

Directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead

Written by Justin Benson

RecommenDEADtions: Black Bear / WandaVision (TV show)

Next week’s film: The Body Snatcher (1945)

Imagine being a nine year old and seeing Steve McQueen take on an alien blob as it devours small town U.S.A. and everything in its path! Well, that’s just what Tim’s dad did, and it’s left its stamp on him to this day. But did “The Blob” leave a similar stamp on Ryan and Tim? Were they able to suspend their disbelief that Steve McQueen was supposed to be a teenager? Were the special effects of the era enough to convince them that the gooey, oozie Blob was a threat? Ehhhh, sort of…? Tim had issues, giving it a “stream” while Ryan couldn’t resist the film’s 1950’s charms and gave it a “buy.” Issues aside, the guys agreed that it is a horror classic. LET’S GET BLOBBY!

The Blob (1958)

Directed by Irvin Yeaworth and Russell Doughten

Written by Theodore Simonson and Kay Linaker

Where we watched: Blu-ray

RecommenDEADtions: Goldfinger / Tim's Star Wars Viewing Order

Next week’s film: The Endless (2017)

Picture this: 1977, swinging New York City...what’s a beautiful model in search of meaning in this crazy town to do? Well, have Ava Gardner find her an amazing apartment in Brooklyn that just so happens to be a gateway to hell that is being protected by the Catholic Church by a single sentinel which they place there every generation, of course! While we thought “The Sentinel” was far from its contemporaries it’s easy to compare to (“Rosemary’s Baby,” “The Omen,” “The Exorcist”), Ryan enjoyed certain aspects enough to give it a “rent,” while Tim gave it a “stream” for falling into the very hellhole it seeks to protect. 

Where we watched: FandangoNOW rental 

The Sentinel (1977) 

Directed by Michael Winner 

Written by Jeffrey Konvitz and Michael Winner 

RecommenDEADtions: Soul / The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel 

Next week’s film: The Blob (1958)