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 |
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| Aftermath
(2005) I caught this film by cult Spanish director Nacho Cerda at a 24-hour horror movie marathon in Chicago. It was the first public showing of the film in the States, and it's easy to see why it has been banned the world over. It's quite possibly the most graphic film I've seen (and I've seen a few). The 30-minute film is entirely without dialogue and it depicts in full graphic detail what just might possibly happen to your body after you've shed the mortal coil... if your coroner happens to be a pervert working alone at night. Supposedly, when it was shown in Toronto recently, some people in the audience vomited, but I didn't hear any retching in Chicago. I did hear that there were quite a few walk-outs though, but I was sitting near the front and captivated by every disturbing second, so I didn't notice anything but a lot of laughter and groaning. Since I doubt that the film will be shown in your neighborhood any time soon, we're very fortunate that it's available on DVD. Definitely a must-see for fans of Cannibal Holocaust and other similar gross-outs. NNNNN - Disturbing In Extremis! |
|
|
Beetlejuice
(1988) |
|
| The
Blair Witch Project
(1999) Okay, okay - you've seen it and you were disappointed by it. Damn the hype! This would have been an absolute classic of indie horror if it hadn't been for the hype ruining everything!! Still, this has to be my all-time favorite scary film... maybe because it reminds me of those days camping out in the woods with my friends, hearing those strange noises, and freaking ourselves out. And because the premise is just so damned morbid cool! NNNNN- Creepy Camping! |
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|
Cannibal!
The Musical
(1999) |
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| A
Certain Kind Of Death
(2002) This is a film about what happens to the bodies of people who have no next of kin. It shows the office workers who attempt to track down any kin and shows how they can unravel details of a person's life from sifting through their belongings. The film is extremely sad as they show treasures from these individuals' lonely lives auctioned off to the highest bidder. As far as morbid appeal goes, this film has quite a lot as it shows in graphic detail the bodies as they were discovered rotting in the apartments. Pretty yucky. I personally thought the film lacked a coherent narrative and for that reason it wasn't the best documentary, but I do recommend it for its thought-provoking sadness and the ick factor. NNN- Sick Sad World! |
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|
A
Clockwork Orange (1971) |
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| Dancer
In The Dark
(2000) I can't believe it took me so long to finally see this one, but I'm certainly happy that I did. Björk gives an amazing performance as Selma, a Czech immigrant living in smalltown America with her son Gene who suffers from the same eye affliction that is robbing Selma of her sight. Selma is saving up money so that Gene can have an operation to save his vision, and when a seemingly friendly neighbor steals her money, tragedy ensues. During the course of the film, Selma escapes into fantasies fueled by her love of Hollywood musicals. The songs, written by Björk, are as charming and eclectic as ever. The final scene is emotionally stupendous - one of the greatest endings I've ever seen. As with all works of eclectic genius, this one is a love-it-or-hate-it proposition - but give it a try and you just may come away with your faith in the emotional power of film restored. NNNNN - An Eclectic Masterpiece! |
|
| Dawn
of the Dead (1979) Recommended by Linz: "George Romero's 1978 follow-up to his classic Night of the Living Dead is quite terrifying and gory (those zombies like the taste of living flesh). But in its own way, it is just as comically satiric as the first film in its take on contemporary values." Comtesse Review: Oh boy... is this film a STINKER! Some people think it's a sociological commentary on consumerism or a women's place in society or any of a hundred other excuses for its existence, but the truth is that this tale of fighting zombies in a mall is just about the worst piece of junk I've seen. The acting is atrocious, the effects are ludicrous, the zombies themselves are completely laughable (especially the hare krishna zombie). It's obviously supposed to be a comedy, but the jokes aren't even that funny. Definitely a must-not-see. (Oh, and the 2004 remake is better, but not by much... Sarah Polley, what has become of thee???) N - Dawn of the Dull! |
|
| Dead
Alive
(1992) Peter Jackson's brilliantly funny gorefest about a mommy's boy who is left having to care for his zombie mother, among other living dead, including a Chuckey-esque zombie baby. The scene where he takes the baby for a walk in the park in a stroller is a classic. This is definitely one of the best zombie comedies of all-time. (See also Shaun of the Dead) NNNN - A Gory Good Time! |
|
| Donnie
Darko (2001) Recommended by ColdLazarus: "It's a wonderfully dark ride thru the mind of a 16 year old schizophrenic boy who speaks with a 6 foot tall bunny rabbit named Frank.... yep, a 6 foot bunny rabbit named Frank. the film is an instant cult classic. during an hallucinogenic episode, Donnie is lured out of his bedroom and into the local golf course by Frank. while he is out of the house a jet engine crashes thru his bedroom. i'll say no more. this movie is beautiful. it is creepy, dark, funny, satirical, happy, sad, hopeful etc etc all in one movie. it defies categorization - it's all of the above with splashes of fantasy and science fiction. the film score by Michael Andrews is incredible and the music picks are just right ("Mad World" by Tears for Fears factors quite a bit into the premise of the movie). this is a first time feature by 26 yr old Director hopeful Richard Kelly." "Donnie Darko is amazing...You need to get it on DVD though becuz even after a million times watching it and trying to define every scene, you will still need help from the director...and with the help of modern technology...He can help you, every step of the way!" - PinkCottonKandiE Comtesse Review: This film is every bit as wonderful as you've been led to believe. The storyline is fascinating, the ending compelling, and the overall schizophrenic aura completely mesmerizing. Definitely one of the best films of the last five years. NNNNN - An Eccentric Masterpiece! |
|
| Dracula
(1931) Tod Browning's creepy 1931 interpretation of Bram Stoker's novel was once quite frightening, I'm certain, but is now more of a comedy film. Of course, Bela Lugosi is fabulously camp as the creepy count, and Helen Chandler is quite fetching as Dracula's primary obsession, but in my mind it's David Manners' hysterical over-acting as Dracula's insane servant Renfield that steals the show. It must be seen to be believed. Even if the acting - not to mention the vampire bats - are ridiculously dated, you have to hand it to Browning's staff: they certainly could create an amazing set! The Castle Dracula and the other sets are absolutely amazing, even by today's standards. NN - Dated But Creepy |
|
| Edward
Scissorhands
(1990) The family classic about a tragic, misunderstand human-built man with scissors for hands and Vincent Price for a dad. This is just a brilliantly funny (and sad) film, full of Tim Burton's typical suburban humor, and a beautiful dark mansion on a hill that I would love to live in! NNNNN - Hand It To 'im! |
|
| Everest
(1998) This documentary about the climbing of Everest was shot during the same fateful (and fatal) climb that is documented in Jon Krakauer's book "Into Thin Air" - in which a group of rich hobby climbers found themselves trapped by a blizzard near the summit. I would suggest reading the book first - it's very interesting - and then watching the film to get the full effect of the tragedy. Compelling to say the least - and it certainly makes you wonder where the "fun" is in high altitude mountain climbing! NNNN - Scaling Fascinating Heights! |
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| The
Evil Dead (1983) Recommended by Linz: "In the fall of 1979, Sam Raimi and his merry band headed into the woods of rural Tennessee to make a movie. They emerged with a roller coaster of a film packed with shocks, gore, and wild humor, a film that remains a benchmark for the genre." Comtesse Review: This is a wonderfully hilarious film that has loads of charm for a small budget. Bruce Campbell is charming, the special effects are "effective", and the story itself is delightfully simple. Of course, as in most horror films, people have to do stupid things along the way, but since it's really just a comedy at heart, it's allowable. One of the all-time classics of the genre. Also Recommended: Evil Dead II NNNN - Evil Entertainment! |
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| The
Exorcist III (1990) Recommended by Todd: "I was perusing through your 'Captivating Celluloid!' and noticed that you didn't have a film that I truly think deserves credit and posting; Exorcist III. If you haven’t reviewed it, I highly suggest it. It ranks highly on the mystic occult, and has a gruesome passion for the morbid way of life. Your hero is the killer." Amos Quito points out that this is: "The movie that Jeffery Dahmer invited one of his victims to come in and watch!" What more are you waiting for? Leonard is also a fan: "Exorcist III is one of the best horror movies around! I know, you wouldn't think a sequel, especially a second sequel, would be good, but it is!" Comtesse Review: Okay, I tried to watch this movie... but I couldn't get into it at all. To me, it was completely disinteresting from start to finish... and also quite lame in parts. I still prefer the original Exorcist, head over heels above this one! NN - Exorcise Me From This Film! |
|
| Fargo
(1996) What a brilliant movie. It's a classic crime film, black comedy, and Midwestern satire all in one. And, since my family comes from Minnesota and they all talk the way they do in this film, it also holds a very special place in my heart for that reason as well. This is another film by the brilliant Coen brothers, and I daresay it is their masterpiece. Oscar winner Frances McDormand turns in a charming, understated role as the surprisingly tough and intelligent pregnant police office Marge, who solves the case seemingly at ease. William H. Macy is typically brilliant as the loser in debt who bungles every money-making scheme in his path. And Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare are perfectly cast as the weasel kidnapper and his "man-of-few-words" cronie. Of course, the highlight for fans of the morbid is the woodchipper scene, but the film is compelling from start to end. A modern masterpiece! NNNNN - Oh Ya, You Betcha! |
|
| Freaks
(1932) Todd Browning's amazing horror masterpiece about a beautiful trapeze artist who marries a midget in the circus sideshow, hoping to inherit his money. When the other close-knit sideshow freaks find out about her treachery, they teach her a lesson she will NEVER be able to forget. The best thing about this movie is that it features some of the most famous sideshow freaks of the era: Siamese Twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, Johnny Eck the Legless Boy, Zip and Pip, the Pinheads, and Prince Randian, the Human Caterpillar. A must-see!! NNNNN - Freakishly Fascinating! |
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|
From
Hell
(2001) |
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| Gia
(1998) Angelina Jolie gives an amazingly intense performance as doomed lesbian supermodel/junkie Gia Carangi. Not the most morbid film, but the downbeat subject matter qualifies it for consideration. And hey, if films about junkies don't turn you on... how about a nude Angelina in a hot lesbian sex scene? Yep, I thought that would sway you... NNNNN - Not So Much Morbid As Mesmerizing! |
|
| Grizzly
Man
(2005) Okay, you guys, I'm a little annoyed. I just watched the film Grizzly Man - which detailed the life and death of Timothy Treadwell, the obviously insane individual who lived with grizzly bears for years and harrassed them in the name of "conservation," only to be eaten by one of them. (Stephen Colbert could have warned him about that!) After sitting through the entire film, I find that they never play the "death tape" - the audio recording made by Treadwell's camera (which unfortunately had its lens cap on) of the attack and demise of both Treadwell and his girlfriend who was also killed. Apparently, the filmmaker Werner Herzog thought it would be a "snuff" film if he shared the recording, so he decided to only show footage of him listening to the tape and going, "Oh my god, this is horrible..." Gee, thanks a lot, Werner! I'm glad YOU got to listen to it and *spare* the rest of us from the overwhelmingly emotional experience of listening to someone screaming in their death throes. I'm certain I never would have recovered from something like that... <rolls eyes> Apart from this annoyance, the movie itself was very interesting, as Treadwell was obviously quite deranged. At one point, he waxes rhapsodical on the amazing beauty and warmth of bear dung ("It came out of her body..."), and at other time he rants and raves about his own self-importance to his camera. The guy was obviously driven increasingly insane through his own self-imposed isolation, which of course makes for compelling viewing! So, although the morbid content is severely disappointing, I'd still give this one 4/5 skulls for the fascinating footage of a man slipping further into madness and closer to the grizzly abyss. NNNN - Not Grisly, Man, But Fascinating All The Same! |
|
| H.
H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer
(2004) This is an excellent documentary about America's first serial killer, the legendary H. H. Holmes. Holmes custom-built a "murder castle" in Chicago complete with trap doors, chutes that led to a basement torture chamber, a gas chamber and an incinerator. He rented out rooms in the castle to single women during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and had a hell of a murderous time. When I first heard about this documentary I was a bit skeptical because I know that the original murder castle had burned down in 1894, so it seemed that there wasn't a great deal of historical context to set the story in. However, filmmaker John Borowski did an excellent job of recreating the labyrinthical upper floors as well as the dungeon-like basement of the castle. The grainy black and white footage adds an eerie, atmospheric quality to the re-enactments, and the film does a fine job of piecing together the story of Holmes many misdeeds. Highly recommended! NNNN - A Wicked Good Time! |
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|
The
Happiness of the Katakuris (2001) |
|
| Hard
Candy (2006) The best little chestnut of a movie! It's about a 14-year-old girl (played by the amazing Ellen Page) who wreaks some most-righteous justice on a 32-year-old pedophile who made the mistake of chatting her up online. Although I was a bit disappointed that the film wasn't as brutal as it could have been (you'll know the scene I'm talking about when you see it), it is still the feel-good film of the year. (Unless you're a pedophile, I suppose...) Scores extra points for having the most realistic chat sequence I've ever seen committed to celluloid. NNNNN - Intense Vengeful Fun! |
|
| House
of 1,000 Corpses (2003) This is one of my girlfriend's favorite movies, and it comes highly recommended from many other patrons of the Asylum. It's definitely an entertaining gorefest, but I found it a bit too derivative of Texas Chainsaw Massacre to be considered a work of (messy) art on its own. Still, it does make for a fun Saturday night. The sequel, The Devil's Rejects, is more of the same, though it's not as much fun. matt says: "You need to see this movie. It's truly one of a kind, pretty gruesome. " Michelle says: "... keeping in mind that it was to be nothing more than eye candy with a cool sountrack, a decent story and tons of blood, I was very impressed. Very impressed! It's an hour and a half of psychedelic colors, mediocre acting, blood, and tons of little inserts filmed in a creepy, grainy filter. Although a couple shots made me a little dizzy (think Blair Witch Project only with bright, headachey-colors) it should still be experienced in the theatres first to be truely appreciated. And there's an awesome ride in the beginning of the film, a tour of different serial killers. Man, if that actually existed...I'd be a happy sleepaway camper!" NNN - Entertaining But Derivative |
|
| I
Spit On Your Grave (1978) A fabulous bloodfest which I heartily recommend! This classic is about a woman who is brutally gang-raped and gets her just revenge on all her rapists. In other words: It's a feel-good movie. As with most low budget films, the acting isn't the best, but her methods of revenge are just so well-executed that you can forgive it. NNNN - '70's Exploitation At Its Finest! |
|
| The
Ice Storm (2000) This isn't really altogether that morbid of a film - but it is bleak, thought-provoking, and amazingly under-rated. (It also contains one of cinema's most memorable death scenes.) Christina Ricci is almost frightening as the sexually menacing teenager, and the other performances are nearly as good. Truly a must-see. NNNNN - Reality Bites! |
|
| Kissed
(1997) This is a very entertaining 1997 flick starring Molly Sims as a child with a romantic obsession with death (which makes her a little hard for the other kids to relate to) who grows up to become a coroner's assistant who finds it easiest to relate, rather intimately, with her lifeless clients. And it's about her boyfriend, who finds that his living, breathing flesh just can't compete with the stiffs. This is one of those films that is so interesting, so different, so brave that you wonder how in the hell it ever got made in the first place. I'd highly recommend showing this one to your unimaginative, non-morbid friends and watching their reaction... but then, I'm evil like that. This is "Aftermath" with a heart and soul. NNNN - Romantic Death! |
|
| Last
Days
(2005) Okay... I just watched Gus Van Sant's "Last Days". I was really looking forward to this one since the reviews made it sound like a mesmerizing look at suicidal depression. I figured I'd love it since I usually love films that are described as "slow" or where "nothing happens" - but this one was more than even I could take. Two hours of incoherent mumbling and repetitive scenes (literally - the same scenes were repeated from different camera angles without really adding anything to the scene) with no artistic grace. I used to think Van Sant was one of the great directors but since his pointless remake of "Psycho" it's been all downhill. Now it's obvious that he is so convinced of his own greatness that he thinks he can do any damn thing he wants - such as focusing on bland foliage or, god help us all - a Boyz 2 Men video, for a minute - and it will be heralded as "art". Having said all that, I could have put up with the indulgences if there had been an interesting payoff in the end. But after endless minutes of tedium... Van Sant doesn't even show us the death!!! The ultimate insult for a film that, for all intents and purposes, is really nothing more than an insult to the viewer. Damn. Van Sant takes material as interesting as Columbine (Elephant) and Cobain and can't make interesting films out of either one. I'm beside myself with disappointment. N - Lasts For Days and Days and Days and Days... |
|
| Memento
(2000) Guy Pierce is absolutely mesmerizing in this amazing film about a man with short term memory loss who is searching out the man who raped and murdered his wife in the incident that caused him to lose his memory. In order to keep track of important facts, he has them tattooed all over his body and takes constant Polaroids so he can remember faces. Because of his condition, Leonard essentially lives his life in short, present-tense segments, with no clear idea of what's just happened to him. That's where Memento gets really interesting; the story begins at the end, and the movie jumps backward in 10-minute segments. Amazingly, the movie achieves edge-of-your-seat excitement even as it moves backward in time, and it keeps the mind hopping as cause and effect are pieced together. This is definitely a film you'll want to see more than once! NNNNN - Mementous!! |
|
|
Men
Behind the Sun (1989) |
|
| Mr.
Death: The Rise And Fall Of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. (1999) This is a fascinating documentary about Fred A. Leuchter, Jr., who was an in-demand designer of execution equipment for many years, before he fell into infamy by visiting Auschwitz, doing some research, and claiming that the supposed gas chambers could not have been used as such. Of course, such views (historically and scientifically faulty as they were), let to Fred's downfall, as states wouldn't work with him, Jewish groups targeted him, and neo-Nazis sought him out. But the best part of this video, for the morbid afficionados, is the in-depth look at the inner workings of execution devices such as the Electric Chair and the Gas Chamber. That, alone, is worth the price of admission! NNNN - Bizarre Infamy |
|
| Natural
Born Killers (1994) Like most people, I had to see Natural Born Killers when it was first released because of the huge wave of controversy that surrounded this violent Oliver Stone film. Of course, it wasn't the violence that so raised the ire in my neighborhood: it was the fact that the script, by Quentin Tarantino, had been re-written by Stone, which completely pissed off my Tarantino-fan friends. So, I went into the theatre expecting that the hype and controversy would overwhelm the film. I remember coming out of the film feeling like I could destroy the world... and do so with a HUGE smile on my face. Well, it's nearly a decade later, and I've just finished watching Natural Born Killers again. And the thrill is still there. Sure, some of the pop culture references - like Rodney King, for example - are dated, but the performances by Woody Harrelson and the ever-amazing Juliette Lewis, as killer couple Mickey and Mallory, are still incredibly powerful, and the story of the media frenzy surrounding notorious murders is still as relevant as it ever was... in fact, it's now even more so! And who can forget the shock value of Rodney Dangerfield as Mallory's lecherous Dad? I'll never be able to look at his bug-eyes again and not feel the bile rising in my throat... Stone's direction is also magnificent, with offbeat and surreal cinematography helping to emphasize the warped ultra-violent atmosphere. But if you see this movie for any one thing, let it be for the scene where Juliette Lewis does some serious psychotic damage to a scumbag cop in her cell. That scene alone makes her my heroine for now and all eternity. Yes, they don't make them like this very often. Don't pass it by! NNNNN - Surreal Killer! |
|
| Near
Dark (1987) Recommended by Karrmen: "I feel the need to suggest NEAR DARK, since I don't see it listed as suggested viewing. How has this one slipped past? It is probably the best vampire movie ever made, a diesel-dripping Southern Gothic. It was directed by Kathyrn Bigelow, and notably stars Lance Henrikson, Bill Paxton, and Jeanette Goldstein, who are so stunningly good that her partner at the time, James Cameron, borrowed them for ALIENS. Huzzah for women directors who plumb the filth of the ravenous dustbowl of the South!" Peter agrees with Karrmen: "I LOOOOOOVE Near Dark. It's such a good movie; certainly up there with the best vampire flicks ever. You should definitely check it out!" Comtesse Review: This is an above-average vampire flick, but it's cursed by two things that I just cannot get out of my head: the hideousness that is Bill Paxton, and the UBER-hideousness that is the kid-vampire named Homer. Really, has there ever been an uglier child star than Joshua John Miller? I still have vivid convulsions whenever I think of this movie. The casting director is truly evil. NNN - Convulsion Inducing |
|
| The
Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) At first I left this film off the Library's shelves, which made Clara ask, "How did 'Edward Scissorhands' make the list, yet the equally wonderful 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' is missing in action?" Well, the answer to that question should be obvious: Edward Scissorhands is a masterpiece and The Nightmare Before Christmas is a missed opportunity. Truly, there are few films that have disappointed me as deeply as this bit of treacly fluff masquerading as a morbid film. Although the artwork is amazing and there are a few good scenes (children opening their "Christmas presents" comes to mind immediately), there are also a slew of unmemorable and silly songs, a lead character with the claymation charisma of James Spader, and a disappointing and frustrating "happy" ending that doesn't fill me with one ounce of happiness! So, that's why I only give this one two skulls. Disagree, Clara, if you must. NN - Frightfully Frustrating |
|
|
Nosferatu
(1922) |
|
| The
Others
(2001) My favorite ghost film - a beautifully understated picture that, like all truly great ghost movies, favors a dark atmosphere, moody sound, and suggestion over the flashy special effects that make many films of its genre laughable (see the recent remake of "The Haunting"). If you're the type who is looking for a thrill a minute, then this is definitely not the film for you; however, if you want to be entranced by the mood, incredible acting, and melancholy storyline, then it's definitely worth your while. Oh, and it makes excellent use of mortuary photography! NNNNN - Greatest Ghost Film Ever! |
|
| Quills
(2000) A fabulously deranged film about the asylum-bound Marquis de Sade, who writes his outrageous sexual fantasies on the wall in blood and feces when deprived of quills and paper. Not exactly a "pick-me-up"-er, but then those films are so boring, aren't they? NNNNN - Sadistic Satisfaction! |
|
| Ravenous
(1999) Recommended by Wendy: "Robert Carlyle and Guy Pearce star in this movie about cannibalism. Yum." Comtesse Review: I tried to rewatch this film, after seeing in the theater when it first came out, and I was quickly reminded of how much I hate it. And it really has nothing to do with the storyline, which is entertaining and contains enough cannibilistic gore to satisfy most of us. It's because Guy Pearce plays the Most Annoyingly Passive Character since Bruce Willis in Unbreakable (which I like to call "Unbearable"). I swear - 15 minutes into this movie I wanted to deck Pearce! 20 minutes in, I wanted to flay him alive! And also, the bad guy is played by equally annoying Robert Carlyle. Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! The only thing that could have made this film more unbearable to me is if Bill Paxton were in it. This is definitely not one of my faves... but don't let me stop you! ;-) NN - Annoying In Extremis! |
|
| Requiem
For A Dream
(2000) An absolute must-see! This amazing film is about nothing less than the death of hope. (WARNING: The suicidal and deeply depressed should seriously reconsider watching this film.) It concerns the downfall of three junkies (Marlon Wayans, Jared Leto, and - sigh... - Jennifer Connelly) and Jared's mother (Oscar nominee Ellen Burstyn) who is hooked on amphetamine. Some of the scenes are shockingly graphic, which I know won't scare YOU lot away, but they are compellingly realistic as well. The musical score - by the Kronos Quartet - and the amazing sound and visual montages are also perfect, as are all the performances. In a just world, this film would have swept the Academy Awards, but unfortunately our world is far from just... Oh, if you rent the DVD - be sure to check out the 'Making Of' feature for the bloody background on some of the gruesome special effects. Plus, more shots with Jennifer Connelly in them. Can't beat that! (Another Warning: this film comes in an 'Edited' and 'Director's Cut' version. Apparently, the only difference between the two is that one of the sex scenes is slightly edited, but I'd still stick with the original if you can.) NNNNN - One of the Greatest Films Ever Made! |
|
| Serial
Mom
(1994) One of my all-time favorite movies - an absolute hoot for the morbidly inclined! Kathleen Turner stars as a suburban housewife who sees such things as separating ones recyclables as a matter of life and death. Quite literally. Director John Waters is at the top of his game in this one. Trust me, if you haven't seen this movie, rent it IMMEDIATELY! You won't be disappointed! NNNNN - Murderous Fun! |
|
| Se7en
(1995) One of the most compelling serial killer movies ever made. Thoroughly mesmerizing, from start to finish. And you have Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey to boot! NNNNN - Gut-wrenchingly Good! |
|
| Shaun
of the Dead (2004)
Brilliantly funny flick about an unambitious British salesman named Shaun who, during his quest to win back his girlfriend, battles the pesky zombies that keep getting in his way. One of the best zombie comedies ever (well, actually, one of the best COMEDIES ever, period), and in the same league as Peter Jackson's equally brilliant Dead Alive. NNNN - Dead Funny! |
|
| Sin
City
(2005) This Robert Rodriguez film is easily one of the greatest comic book adaptations ever made, and the black and white high contrast photography impressively mimicks the Frank Miller comic books. Definitely a must see for any fans of film noir. NNNN - Sinfully Well-Done! |
|
|
Six
Feet Under - The Complete First Two Seasons (2004) Of course, the greatest thing about this show, from my warped perspective, is that every episode opens with a death, and that death later becomes a customer at the Fisher Funeral Home and often features in the narrative as well. This is the sort of show where the corpses can sit up and give advice to the main characters. In fact, the deceased patriarch of the Fisher family is a recurring character, as the various characters engage in regular conversations with him. It's also the sort of show where the mortician will beam with pride while detailing how they were able to rebuild a mangled corpse to a presentable appearance for a viewing. And the opening sequence, filled with stunning photography of coffins, gravestones, ravens, embalming fluid, hearses, and the like, always makes me shiver with delight. Really, it's the most beautiful opening to a series ever. Every shot could be a still photograph of dark beauty. Oh,
and the characters are wonderful too. Really, you'd be doing yourself
a huge favor by checking this show out. You can trust me, right?
;-) |
|
| The
Sixth Sense
(1999) Yes, you've seen it already... or, if you haven't, you've been in a coma for three years. But isn't it an amazing film? Along with "The Others", it's one of the greatest ghost movies ever made, and a hauntingly morbid bit of entertainment to boot! NNNNN - Worth The Hype! |
|
| Sleepy
Hollow
(1999) An excellent Tim Burton retelling of the classic story of a murderous headless horseman and the hapless Ichabod Crane. Great performances by the always-wonderful Christina Ricci and Johnny Depp, but the real brilliance lies with the chilling gothic atmosphere that Tim Burton manages to create (as usual). Oh, and Lisa Marie is delightfully creepy as Ichabod's earth-loving mother. (What was Tim Burton thinking when he dumped her???) Great morbid fun! NNNN - A Lovely Gothic Lullaby |
|
| Stir
of Echoes
(1999) This one is recommended by IronMan: "This a very disturbing movie starring Kevin Bacon and Kathryn Erbe. They live in a small neighborhood in Chicago. One night, after being hypnotized at a party, Kevin Bacon starts to see bizarre encounters with a ghost in his house. It is a damn shame that this movie was in theaters the same time as The 6th Sense, because they are somewhat similar. 6th Sense received all of the publicity, but this is written a lot better. If you have the means, I highly recommend renting it. You won't be disappointed." I saw this one in the theaters when it was released and thought it was a good, but not great film. I personally thought that The Sixth Sense was a much better film, but this one does have a good creepy vibe to it. All in all, I'd have to give this one three skulls. NNN - Not Quite The Sixth Sense |
|
| The
Sweet Hereafter
(1997) What morbidly-inclined individual could possibly resist a film about a tragic accident in a small British Columbian town where 14 children are killed in a bus crash? I certainly could not - and that scene is frightening in its simplicity (here one minute, gone under water the next). However, the real point of the film is to examine the damage that the crash leaves on its survivors - especially the guilt-ridden bus driver and an already sexually-damaged teenage girl left paralyzed in the crash. A understated, moving and beautifully-acted film. NNNNN - Tragic and Intense |
|
| Visitor
Q
(2001) I watched the Japanese flick Visitor Q at the recommendation of my ever-insane friend, The Mind Orbitor. She knows an odd film when she sees one, and did she ever find one with this little masterpiece of oddness. The film smashes taboos left and right - it's like the director, Takashi Miike, deliberately tried to incorporate every sick little fantasy he'd ever had into one film. Father/daughter incest mixed with prostitution? Sure! Drug-addicted mother whipped by a bullied son? You betcha! But the best part in the film is the ending - where the husband gets himself caught in a bit of a necrophilic jam, the wife comes to his assistance, and then they both decide to put some fun back in dysfunction in a most morbid manner. While I wouldn't exactly call Visitor Q an excellent film, it definitely has scenes that will stay with you forever. I'd rate it three/five skulls on the morbid-o-meter. NNN - Puts The Fun Back In Dysfunction |
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| The
Wicker Man (1974) This film is silly and quite dated at times, but the traditional rituals, the theme of Christianity vs. Paganism, and the final meeting with the Wicker Man (in whom the ancient Celts would burn sacrificial victims to ensure a good harvest) are quite fascinating. Worth watching for the final scene, if nothing else. NN - Dated But Fun |
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Wisconsin
Death Trip (2000) The film starts out to be a faithful rendering of the book, with black and white re-enactments of many of the more compelling tales. The director did a fantastic job of casting individuals who looked like they crawled right out of the vintage photographs, and the period details are just right. I turned to my girlfriend and remarked on how brilliant it all was - they had done the impossible by making a film worthy of the book. And then something went horribly, horribly wrong. Suddenly, the beautiful black and white period scenery was replaced by color footage of the ugly citizens of modern-day Black River Falls. Various unconnected vignettes of modern small-town American life played before me: parades, football games, cars driving down boring streets, children playing. Stupid people saying stupid things. And for what? No explanation is given for the appearance of this modern footage. I'm imagining that the director thought it would be oh-so-profound to juxtapose the modern Black River Falls with its despairing past, but it completely ruined the film for me by breaking the spell of nostalgia that was so expertly cast. And so the film continues - with brilliant vignettes of 1890's insanity and crime and sadness followed by boring, ugly footage of smalltown 1990's America. My
recommendation? Skip the modern footage and focus on the sad tales
in black and white. You'll have a much better time than I did, believe
me! |
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