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Post by Spark Doll King on Oct 9, 2024 21:31:52 GMT
I'm aware that we've still got a few weeks to go befor that unholy day we all love but why not talk about some of our less obvious favorites. Matango - 1963  On of the few, and best, straight up horror movies by Ishirō Honda, the director of the original Godzilla, Matango is easily one of his best film in my opinion. The film is a loose adaptation of "The Voice in the Night", a short story by English writer William Hope Hodgson. It involves a band of Japanese day trippers on a yacht out at see. The group are overcome by a sudden storm and find themselves shipwrecked on an unknown island. As they explore the island they come across a derelict ship, covered in some type of mold and no sign of what happened to it's former crew. All they do find is an abnormally large, unknown kind of mushroom with the name "Matango" and the captain's log warning it must no be eaten due it's effects on humans. The group make the best of their situation, cleaning sections of the derelict to make it habitable, collecting what little food they can and trying to survive but as time goes the venire of civility and civilisation begin to be warn away under the hardship. Worse though is that some of them appear to slowly going insane, but is this because of their circumstances or have some of them begun to eat the only abundant food on the island, the mushrooms, and hanging over all this is the mystory of what happened to those who have been to this island befor them? Matango is an amazing thriller that's much more complex then it would first seem. It's not the first story of a group trapped on an island going nuts but it's probably one of the bets & most unique. The cast are all amazing, made up of Toho regulars of the era many Godzilla fans will instantly recognise. The movie has come great moments of psychological horror and outright horror. There is also a monster element to this film but it is down played compared to other Toho creature features of the time but this is honestly to the films benefit. Not that the monsters are bad, just that the films is a human story and the monsters play their part at key points when needed rather then being a crutch for the film to lean on. Eaten Alive - 1976  Tobe Hooper's next film after the break out success of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It tells the story of a mad hotel owner Judd, played by Neville Brand, who kills people who come to stay at his run down shit hole and feeds them to his pet crocodile. This is the oppasite of Matango, this is a messy, weird film that is basically a reverse, hyper active, sister film to Chainsaw. There is no real plot, it's just different people turning up a Judd's, weird shit happens and then the man eventually snaps and starts trying to kill people. Thats not to say there is nothing to watch here, as a good chuck of the cast are play a groups of very strange people who are oddly compelling to watch. Pretty much every aspect of this film is just as insane with many weird or strange moments that are oddly fascinating despite their seeming incoherency. The centre piece of this ball of madness is Judd, who is literally the entire Sawyer clan rolled into one man. Judd is, in my opinion, on of the most fascinating slasher stars to watch as he cycles from quite, but odd hotel owner, hyperactive crocodile enthusiast and batshit serial killer multiple times over the course of the movie. This film also features a young Robert England as Buck, who is naturally "Here to f*ck." This film is not for everyone, some would justifiably call it bad, but it's honestly one of my faviort lesser known horror films because I find it so fascinating in it's strange way. |
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Post by Cherry Pepsi Maxil on Oct 9, 2024 22:01:26 GMT
It's not really lesser known, but The Howling I feel is rather underrated. It feels more like a product of the late 70s than the 80s but director Joe Dante gives it some nice stylistic touches. Definitely one to shove on over Halloween if you like werewolves and country settings.
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Post by iank on Oct 10, 2024 5:48:14 GMT
Link. Elisabeth Shue versus killer orangutan butler. Sublime.  |
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Post by Ludders II on Oct 10, 2024 10:18:15 GMT
I haven't watched it yet, but this looks interesting:
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Post by Ludders II on Oct 10, 2024 10:22:16 GMT
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Post by burrunjor on Oct 10, 2024 11:41:28 GMT
Where do I begin Split Second
This 90s flick stars Rutger Hauer as an embittered cop whose partner was killed by a hideous creature a decade ago. Things are even more complicated by the fact that Hauer was in a relationship with his partners girlfriend played by Kim Cattrall. Suddenly after ten years the demon returns and goes another killing spree and tries to get revenge on both Hauer and Cattrall. The monsters origins are never completely explained, but it is hinted to be a demon that kills people and eats their hearts so it can take their souls to hell. The monster famously resembles the Spider-Man villain Venom.  It's not an all time classic, but it's really well done with Hauer as per usual being fantastic. The setting of a partially flood desolate, cyber punk desolate future of eh "2008" also helps to give it a brilliant atmosphere and allow for some interesting world building, with the monster being above average in terms of its design and practical effects for a B-movie. Honestly this is one of my favourite monster flicks. Dog Soldiers
Classic low budget, but very well done horror flick starring Sean Pertwee. It's basically like Evil Dead but with Werewolves, though it's a lot more serious and intense despite still having some comical scenes like this. BaitStarring Julian McMahon of Charmed fame. The premise for this one is simple. A city gets flooded and we follow a group of people trapped in a mall that has not only been flooded, but a Shark has been brought in via the water and is picking the survivors off one by one. McMahon is awesome in this, playing a badass criminal who is forced to help the very people he tried to rob. It's a top tier Shark film with some really creative and scary moments. Mr Vampire
A Hong Kong classic. This revolves around a maverick Chinese vampire hunter playing by Lam Ching Ying having to deal with a particularly powerful Jian Shi/hopping vampire rampaging its way through a small town, whilst one of his bumbling companions is infected, and the other is seduced by a lonely female ghost. This movie has everything, comedy, horror, action and even a bit of romance too. The fight sequences are incredible. easily on a par with Bruce Lee's best work as Lam Ching Ying was both his close friend and student. End of Days
Not sure if you should keep this one for New Year or not? One of my favourite Schwarzanegger movies. It pisses me off how this is trashed all the time. It was the Morbius of its day in that respect, though unlike Morbius which was average, this is actually a minor classic. It's a brilliant performance from Arnold as a more vulnerable, broken down hero, whilst Gabriel Bryne is easily one of the absolute best versions of Satan there has ever been. Charismatic, sexy, charming, funny, but can turn on a dime and be spectacularly vicious at any moment. (Also the fact that Mirium Margoyles beats the absolute shit out of Arnie is just more reason to watch as that in itself is such a hilarious sentence to write haha.) It also has some of the best music of any horror film with this piece going on to pop up after the movie in so many tv shows, films etc. I remember it being used in Buffy for the bit where Faith crawls out of her grave in her nightmare. Hell I might use it in Scratchman. Vampires (John Carpenter)
One of his more overlooked works, but still this is an interesting vampire film, that stars one of the most unapologetically vile lead characters via Jack Crow (who James Woods does a brilliant job playing.) And some of the absolute best, most goriest and OTT vampire fights and deaths. Definitely worth a look. CrawlProduced by Sam Raimi, this follows a similar premise to Bait of a town being flooded and a dangerous predator being brought with it, only this time it is Alligators. It's a really tight, claustrophobic, intense survival horror story and stars an absolutely kick ass female hero. (Maxil would absolutely adore both her and the film. I'm recommending it to him above all LOL.) Evil Dead Rise
A lot of people dismissed this as an unnecessary sequel and because it is the first not to have Bruce Campbell as the lead, but it is fantastic. Truly the scariest entry in the series and proof that the style of the first can be replicated successfully too. Features one of the best female monsters in the history of horror. The Descent
Possibly my favourite on the list. This is about a group of women who go exploring in a cave only to be set upon by utterly hideous underground monsters. It's extremely gory, brutal and bleak, with the main characters being a flawed, but still sympathetic bunch you want to see escape and genuinely care about when they die. Another one for Maxil given its cast LMAO. Juno is by far my favourite. You'll hate her at first, as she really is a selfish bitch at the start of the film and the cause of it all, but by the end of both movies she'll seem like the most badass and awesome character. The Descent 2
It's rare for a sequel to live up to the original but this does. For the most part. There are a few bits of it I don't like, though I don't want to spoil them for anyone, but overall it's every bit as exciting and shocking as the first movie with some awesome monster sequences. The Shallows
Another Shark flick. This revolves around a woman being attacked by a super persistent Great White Shark that corners her on a small rock. Really simple premise, but brilliantly done, with the girl being one of my favourite leading characters as she goes through absolute hell, shark bites, broken bones, Jellyfish stings, burns but never gives up. |
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Post by rushy on Oct 10, 2024 13:22:48 GMT
I love the Phantasm films. A villain using nightmares (five years before Freddy Krueger), a group who travel from town to town in a cool car fighting paranormal entities (many years before Supernatural), lots badass guns and monsters, and an overarching storyline. They were so ahead of their time. Also, despite sharing the same cast and director, all the films have their own vibe. If you want mood and atmosphere, you have the original. If you want action and guts, you have the second. If you want comedy, you have the third. If you want nihilism, you have the fourth.
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Post by Ludders II on Oct 10, 2024 14:14:08 GMT
The Descent
Possibly my favourite on the list. This is about a group of women who go exploring in a cave only to be set upon by utterly hideous underground monsters. It's extremely gory, brutal and bleak, with the main characters being a flawed, but still sympathetic bunch you want to see escape and genuinely care about when they die. Another one for Maxil given its cast LMAO. Juno is by far my favourite. You'll hate her at first, as she really is a selfish bitch at the start of the film and the cause of it all, but by the end of both movies she'll seem like the most badass and awesome character. I'm a big fan of this movie too. I don't rate the sequel as much as you do, but it's not bad. The original though was gripping the first time round. I had to leave a long gap before watching it again though, because it's one of those movies where once you know what happens, it loses a bit of rewatch value, so I literally had to leave a 10 year gap until I couldn't remember exactly what happens. Lol |
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Post by Ludders II on Oct 10, 2024 14:18:35 GMT
If you fancy a laugh on Halloween, watch the remake of The Wicker Man, with Nicholas Cage. It's so bad it's hilarious. 😂
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Post by Ludders II on Oct 10, 2024 14:22:33 GMT
I love the Phantasm films. A villain using nightmares (five years before Freddy Krueger), a group who travel from town to town in a cool car fighting paranormal entities (many years before Supernatural), lots badass guns and monsters, and an overarching storyline. They were so ahead of their time. Also, despite sharing the same cast and director, all the films have their own vibe. If you want mood and atmosphere, you have the original. If you want action and guts, you have the second. If you want comedy, you have the third. If you want nihilism, you have the fourth. I've got the first one, which is a decent enough movie.Haven't watched it for years so it's probably due a rewatch. Never seen any sequels though. |
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Post by Ludders II on Oct 10, 2024 14:31:55 GMT
If you like Asian horrors, then apart from Ringu which I think is the best of the bunch, then there's Dark Water which is almost as good. Don't bother with the Hollywood remake though.
Also there's a '60s one called "Kwaidan". You may know of it already as I get the impression you're into Asian stuff, but if not then it's definitely worth a go.
And last but not least, the original version of The Eye. But again the Hollywood remake just doesn't cut it for me. Especially this one.
Oh just thought of another one; an anthology of 3 short stories called: Three Extremes. Well worth a go as well.
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Post by burrunjor on Oct 10, 2024 14:47:31 GMT
The Descent
Possibly my favourite on the list. This is about a group of women who go exploring in a cave only to be set upon by utterly hideous underground monsters. It's extremely gory, brutal and bleak, with the main characters being a flawed, but still sympathetic bunch you want to see escape and genuinely care about when they die. Another one for Maxil given its cast LMAO. Juno is by far my favourite. You'll hate her at first, as she really is a selfish bitch at the start of the film and the cause of it all, but by the end of both movies she'll seem like the most badass and awesome character. I'm a big fan of this movie too. I don't rate the sequel as much as you do, but it's not bad. The original though was gripping the first time round. I had to leave a long gap before watching it again though, because it's one of those movies where once you know what happens, it loses a bit of rewatch value, so I literally had to leave a 10 year gap until I couldn't remember exactly what happens. Lol SPOILERS for Maxil and anyone else who wants to watch it, the thing I hated about the sequel was Juno dying. That's not because I fancy the actress don't worry (though she was cute.) To start with it was just a lazy repeat of the first film. Really it almost felt pointless to bring her back. Second I think if she had escaped with the girl who betrayed her at the end of the last film, it could have been a really cool redemption story for both of them. Also had Juno escaped she could have become a cool horror icon like say Ripley, but unlike Ripley she's a bit more morally grey as like I said she IS a selfish bitch in the first film who gets everybody involved in that mess and then there is the bit where she accidentally kills her team mate and doesn't own up to it. Still it was an accident and obviously she had no idea what they were in for, so it's not like she is beyond redemption and the second movie showing her become a badass hero who saves the woman that intentionally betrayed her was a great arc that is sadly undermined a bit by her dying in almost the exact same way as the first one. Also now she's not a memorable final girl, but just another Yaphet Koto from Alien, IE the badass who goes down swinging. Those are never as memorable. We were robbed of another badass female icon I think. Justice for Juno. |
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Post by burrunjor on Oct 10, 2024 14:48:55 GMT
If you fancy a laugh on Halloween, watch the remake of The Wicker Man, with Nicholas Cage. It's so bad it's hilarious. 😂 HOW'D IT GET BURNED HOW'D IT GET BURNED. I love the way Nicholas Cage admitted the film was a mistake and dreadful idea, but that he appreciates that it's developed as big a following as the first for the wrong reasons LOL. |
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Post by burrunjor on Oct 10, 2024 14:49:49 GMT
I love the Phantasm films. A villain using nightmares (five years before Freddy Krueger), a group who travel from town to town in a cool car fighting paranormal entities (many years before Supernatural), lots badass guns and monsters, and an overarching storyline. They were so ahead of their time. Also, despite sharing the same cast and director, all the films have their own vibe. If you want mood and atmosphere, you have the original. If you want action and guts, you have the second. If you want comedy, you have the third. If you want nihilism, you have the fourth. Never seen them, but I'll check them out as that sounds brilliant. |
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Post by Bernard Marx on Oct 10, 2024 15:54:01 GMT
Also there's a '60s one called "Kwaidan". Thanks for the unintentional prompt. I got this on Blu-Ray for Christmas last year but still haven’t seen it. This is something I need to rectify. I’ve liked Kobayashi’s earlier work (Harakiri, The Human Condition)- even if I can’t see myself re-watching them often- so I imagine I’ll appreciate this too. |
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