Although I have not completely given up the blog I have moved most of my reviewing to Letterboxd.com.
The statistics they run for me there are woth the effort.
You can follow me there Hovey1127 is the handle.
Monday, September 25, 2023
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Salem Horror Fest 2023
Salem Horror Fest 2023
Salem Horror Fest is a celebration of diverse voices and innovative filmmaking within a genre that best reflects our cultural demons.
Salem Horror Fest was founded as a direct response to the 2016 election. As political hate and fear became increasingly weaponized against minority groups, we set out to create a safe and welcoming space for people to find truth and catharsis in the shadows of the horror genre.
Salem, Massachusetts is known around the world as a Halloween mecca, but it is important to remember how religion and greed were used to scapegoat vulnerable members of this community, mostly women, and sentenced them to death. It is a deeply horrific and shameful moment in our history - one that must not be forgotten.
I would love to write about the social political aspect of Salem horror Fest but that really is not my groove. First and foremost I am a horror fan and that is really what draws me to this festival. When I find the films being presented "good" I am happy as can be and when they are not I leave disappointed. It must be saying something about the films that I have attended four(?) Salem Horror Fests counting the virtual one. That said, Salem Horror Fest (SHF) delivers some really great horror for any fan while also creating a space for queer horror like no other festival, probably anywhere. Founder Kay Lynch has created a space where diverse voices can tell their stories for an audience that will connect and appreciate them. The FACT that SHF can please the cis white middle aged man like me with high quality well curated content and also have those films be queer as fuck indicated to me the disconnect in our society where this same material is not programmed by many other festivals. I heard more than any other message in Q&As and Introductions the appreciation of the film makers that Kay has create a space where they can tell there stories. On top of that the festival is hosted at Salem Cinema a independent four screen cinema in the heart of Salem Massachusetts with the friendliest most helpful staff imaginable. Salem sells itsself as the Halloweeen capitol of the world, the Witch City if you will has many attractions for those travelling in from out of town for the festival. From historical to corny there is definately fun things to do in this town.
The main thing with any film festival that must be navigated is how do you schedule yourself so you can maximize the cost of the ticket. I have purposely purchased both weekend passes more to support the festival than that I want to spend that much time trying to see 'everything'. I never really plan on seeing everything but am most interested in new films and then try to hit the shorts after that. In fact as I get older (60 this year) physically I have a hard time making it through more than a couple films without needing to take a break and walk around town to ease some of the aches and pains. So what I am going to describe is my Festival, there was so much more that I just skipped because I wanted food or needed a break, or was to tired and went home for the night, or because I had reached my budget limit. There were added cost screenings in the small twenty-five seat theater that I would have loved to do. I missed the Opening night because I was travelling back from spending the week at the home office in Alpharetta GA, so I did not get to see Tony Todd Meet & Greet ,VIP Fan Event Candyman with Tony Todd | Q&A with Keynote: Kier-La Janisse I would have paid a bit more to see that if I was in town.
There were also a couple more special events for additional money on top of the cost of passes:
Night of the Demons | VIP Fan Event Linnea Quigley, Amelia Kinkade where the actresses watch the film with you in a intimate 25 seat theater, do a Q&A and then do pictures with the attendees.
Autograph Signing | Linnea Quigley, Amelia Kinkade, Geretta Geretta
Demon Night Party @ Bit Bar with Linnea Quigley, Amelia Kinkade, Geretta Geretta signing autographs and interacting with fans. The bit Bar is an Arcade Game film bar with food that partners with the festival. Its a lot of fun. I went to this but really spent most of my time talking with other fest participants and a bit with the very wonderful Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West of the Faculty of Horror Podcast. It is one of my favorites. and I had watch a live version of the pod in Salem earlier that day. Unfortunately Blood on Satans's Claw was not the best of films but it made for some interesting podcast conversation.
Fright Night | VIP Fan Event with William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, and Stephen Geoffreys watching the film again in the intimate setting with perks.
Autograph Signing | William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, Stephen Geoffreys
Fright Night Party @ Bit Bar William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, and Stephen Geoffreys
Hopefully there are other blogs out there where you can hear about my missed experiences. If I had gone for the Special creenings I could have dropped another $300 on top of the $350 I had already spent on the two weekend passes. A bit above my price range so sacrifices had to be made. For better or worse I had to make some hard decisions and so what follows is just the things I did and saw.
Witch Hunt - A short about witches in Brooklyn and in Salem performing hexes on Donald Trump, a response to his administration and hateful policies.
Satan Wants You (2023) - It tells the story of how the Satanic Panic of the 1980s was ignited by "Michelle Remembers", a memoir by psychiatrist and his patient. The book relied on recovered-memory therapy to uncover Michelle's abduction by baby-stealing Satanists. (imdb)
The roots of the Satanic Panic are explored in this documentary that has no problem casting blame. Well done with a build towards several conclusions behore then having a turn where it picks the conclusion the makers felt suits it best. The footage of television shows in the throws of the panic did bring me back. I remember being a teen in the eighties and talking to friends about all this bullshit. We wondered if it was really going on and how could anyone keep such a big conspiracy secret. We never worried about our own neighbors because in the city everyone sort of knew everyone so there was no way we would not have known who the satsnic cult was. Speculating about small town America though was fair game. Far from keeping us away from the evils of Satan I think this did more to introduce us to the idea that Satan could be worshipped. My neighborhood was predominately Catholic so there were probably kids in these conversations who were living the real horror of cults and not the sensationalized satan ones. An A+ documantary that is worth a watch.
I actually thought the short itself even without the added commentary was pretty good, with the commentary its great. It's only 14 minutes but tells a cool little story about the effects on younger generations at hearing family members talk about things that happen to them during the holocaust. By doing commentary on what was meant to be a serious short there is a humor at the short while the story is serious and still intact beneath it.
Wolves (2022) - from imdb -
Inspired by true events. When a young social recluse stumbles onto a series of unsolved cold cases he finds himself pulled deeper into society's dark underside and must face his own demons to learn the truth.There was some controversy around this film as the short description on imdb made many people think this was a film about a real serial killer. This feature is not really that although it alludes to how someone could cross the line to killing people. If you are averse to animal violence then this is a film you should definately avoid. It's attempting to tell a dark tale of the urges one might have to harm and how seeing those urges playing out in the papers might attract you to that person acting on similar urges. What I experiences was I had a real disconnect with the content of the story and foun myself not very interested in it. Also could we stop with the upside down crane shot, please. This one was a miss for me but hey, you can't expect to vibe with everything you see. I am sure it had some soon to be cat killer jizzing in his pants as "he" watched.
Short: My Cat Lucy - Saw this particular animated short twice and was delighted both times.
Bakeneko: A Vengeful Spirit (1968) - from Letterboxd - Nabeshima Naoshige murders his lord, Ryuzoji Takafusa, seeking to gain power and steal his Lord’s wife. To avoid her fate, Lady Takafusa drowns herself along with her cat in a nearby marsh. A decade later, Naoshige’s efforts to steal another woman trigger a curse on him when she also commits suicide at the same marsh — forcing him to suffer the consequences of his past actions.
This movie was really a pleasant watch, I am always surprised by Severin Films, not only do they know my sweetspot for viewing but are consistently producing films I have not scene like this one. Well programmed just before Alex West's lecture on Cat familiars in film showed us on cat familiar in a convoluted but unltimately satifying feature. I some time go away from Asian theater for long periods of time before I have an experiece that brings me back. This one is worthy of bringing me back.
Presented by Severin Films
Severin FIlms is one of my movie buying mainstay sites, so it was great that they were at SHF the entire first weekend. As well as having a table up where you could spend your money on some of there wonderful titles they had several screening of films from their vaults including Bakeneko which I saw for the first time and really loved. They also contributed several showings of Woodlands Dark & Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror, Morgiana (1972), and The Ninth Heart (1979)
Presented by the Miskatonic Institute was a delight with Alex doing such a fine informative performance on the subject. I came away from this with a list of films feature cat familars that I am putting together to watch at a later date. I love that the festival mixes in alternative material and not just films themselves. It really breaks up that sluggish feeling you get from watch too many movies in a row. Alex is great, I am a fan of her thoughtful and informative material. If i was still on the socials I would share hers with you but alas I have freed myself of that time suck.
Summoners (2022) by Terence Krey - When Jess returns from the big city she reconnects with friends reconnect Alana her high school besty and fellow witch. Things are not quite what they first seem to Jess and as she learns more about what her friend has been up to in her absence old feeling and held grudges create a crisis only magic can solve. I really enjoyed this picture, it was not quite what it seemed and the turn was really well done. I love when the world you are placed in has magic and it is just a given, no explanations or anything. It makes for less exposition and opens up so many more possibilities.
A very good effort that touches upon toxic male culture while wrapping it into a handy science fiction film. This film was fun but Alice being so young was really awkward in the Q&A afterwards. She needs to work on a couple little stories about her productions that can be quick crowd pleasers. Still making features and still a teenager WOW! I really loved the last film I saw by Alice, So Vam and was really looking forward to this feature. It did not really bowl me over but was cool enough that I was engaged throughout. The raw emotions Alice writes into her characters comes through but I would like to see her get a bit more nuance and complex, in time I am sure she will.
.
Short: Dead End *
Actually saying something about the pros and cons of the gay influx / local community symbiotic relationship, while also being a film about a Dagon style demon cult. Those teeth snorting, sex addicted cultist must make a sacrifice each off season to keep the Karma good and the wealth flowing into Provincetown.
Short: The House Sitters - my memory fades and I can't quite remember this one.
I really liked this I thought the space used for the film and some very well done editing really kept up the tension in this one. The sound engineer suffering a bad, violent breakup with a band member come back to do sound for the band sans the guitarist boyfriend. When one of the attendees at the studio is murdered suspicions run rampant. Discovering that the doors to the studio are chained shut the group must defend themself against a killer who could be one of them. This film really delivered so you should seek it out when you have a chance. The acting is decent the story good (maybe true events) and like I said the editing worked to keep you from knowing everything too early in the film.
* George A. Romero Foundation Fellowship Recipient - The GARF is dedicated to honoring the life, work, and cultural influence of George A. Romero. They are also dedicated to supporting a new generation of filmmakers and artists inspired by his legacy. Read all about the wonderful work they are doing by following the above link.
I didn't necessarily click real well with this film but every film is not for everybody. Still it was competently made and still worth a watch. I think for me i guessed where it was going early on so all the stuff around substance abuse and returning home to face your demon did not resonate quite as well as I would have liked. Maybe it's that it is such a common trope that you have to do something really special with it. I liked the messaging about generational ethics and how we should appreciate the history of the land we live on.
Pou (Peacock) - A wonderful queer gothic horror period piece that delivers its messages as part of a complete story without beating you over the head with them. For me this was the film I liked best in the entire festival. The lead Tarryn Wyngaard is great in the lead and it is so well directed by Jaco Minnaar in a feature directorial debut. imdb. describes the film as The psychosexual journey of a young woman into the dark recesses of the Afrikaner psyche and its compromised past.
The Weird Kidz - A thoroughly entertaining coming of age animated story about a group of kids dealing with a cult in a desert landscape. It was funny and silly at times but also captured those tween to teen years with riduiculous fart jokes and wanting to see boobs. When a camping trip turns into a fight to save friends and family from a giant ant worshiping cult the youngsters find the courage to come through.
This was another really good one looking at the ethics of social media. We atre getting more of this kind of story now a couple decades into our spy on ourselves and everyone else society.
Thursday, March 30, 2023
The Skin I Live In (2011) Drama Quick Hit
So I got a post saying this review was removed from my feed, and thought how odd that the film where a man is changed into a woman is the one flagged. The notice does not say the reason why other than it infringed on copyright so I removed the images I screen captured from the film and am republishing the text. I literally have thousands of screen captures in my posts so my conspiracy brain is going full tilt. Why this one in particular, seems an interesting choice.
1/3/24 - This happened a 2nd time and this time there are no images in it. I am thinking either someone is reporting it falsely. So this time I will make a counter claim since I know for a fact links are not copyright infringement.
The Skin I Live In (2011) - Quick Hit! Not a full review but here are some words about this film. "La piel que habito" another fine film by director Pedro Almodovar. Almodovar writes and directs excellent melodrama and this film, although less excellent than some of his other films, like "All About my Mother", "Volver", and "Broken Embraces" it is a fine film about obsession and revenge. It is impossible to tell you much of the story without giving too much away but I am definitely going to do a jig around it here.
Antonio Banderas plays Robert Ledgard a plastic surgeon driven by the memories of his wife's death after being severely burned in a car crash. He secretly develops a new kind of artificial skin, but human experimentation is frowned upon by the establishment so a secret illegal test subject is needed. How he gets this guinea pig and who it is is so central to the film. Going into it would spoil, but oh my what a story. His captive Vera (Elena Anaya) wants her freedom but has been captive so long it seems she also has a connection to Ledgard. There is this strange co dependence that is eerie and after the twist you see the reasons.
The remarkable thing in Almodovar films are the original if disturbing turns they take. I have to say this film had a turn that is so remarkable that it is impossible to get. This compelling story is not about happy ending, but how often do happy ending happen to revenge driven psychopaths. From experience let me say not very often and Ledgard will have to deal with the consequences of his actions. If this relationship between Vera and Robert were the only thing to think about it would be an interesting film but there is so much more. Marilia (Marisa Paredes) assists the doctor but has her own secrets. Her son Zeca (Roberto Alamo) brings some madness to the plot. Mixed in is the back story that has driven Ledgard to this point, the accident that disfigured his wife, the effect it had on his daughter Norma (Blanca Suarez). Her own tragedy is a stunning point that drives the story forward in the most prominent way.
As always with Almodovar film this one was enjoyable to this reviewer. It is not quite as good as some of his others but still it is good.
Rating (6.3) 5.0 and up are recommended, some more recommended than others.
Antonio Banderas plays Robert Ledgard a plastic surgeon driven by the memories of his wife's death after being severely burned in a car crash. He secretly develops a new kind of artificial skin, but human experimentation is frowned upon by the establishment so a secret illegal test subject is needed. How he gets this guinea pig and who it is is so central to the film. Going into it would spoil, but oh my what a story. His captive Vera (Elena Anaya) wants her freedom but has been captive so long it seems she also has a connection to Ledgard. There is this strange co dependence that is eerie and after the twist you see the reasons.
The remarkable thing in Almodovar films are the original if disturbing turns they take. I have to say this film had a turn that is so remarkable that it is impossible to get. This compelling story is not about happy ending, but how often do happy ending happen to revenge driven psychopaths. From experience let me say not very often and Ledgard will have to deal with the consequences of his actions. If this relationship between Vera and Robert were the only thing to think about it would be an interesting film but there is so much more. Marilia (Marisa Paredes) assists the doctor but has her own secrets. Her son Zeca (Roberto Alamo) brings some madness to the plot. Mixed in is the back story that has driven Ledgard to this point, the accident that disfigured his wife, the effect it had on his daughter Norma (Blanca Suarez). Her own tragedy is a stunning point that drives the story forward in the most prominent way.
As always with Almodovar film this one was enjoyable to this reviewer. It is not quite as good as some of his others but still it is good.
Rating (6.3) 5.0 and up are recommended, some more recommended than others.
Sunday, January 22, 2023
Eddie's Way Back Machine - 1974-75 Kolchak: The Night Stalker
A bit about Eddie's Way Back Machine. This is not per se a column breaking down reviewing, and exploring in details of the shows episodes themselves, more it is an appreciation of an old show. This is not intended to remove any of the joy viewers get from these shows but I will comment on the attitudes that do not stand up a modern viewing. Those of us that lived through the airing, or watched reruns of these shows will look at them quite differently than someone coming to them today. I'm try to remember that times and attitudes change, and what was socially acceptable at one time may be viewed differently today. It is that lense of our modern society that will highlight where this entertainment fits or does not fit. I can't change the past but I can certainly attempt to see it through the knowledge and experience I've have gained through the years. Hopefully, with the warts and all of these shows, you will find this look back as interesting as I did.
Kolchak: The Night Stalker (20 episodes)
This television show aired 1974-75 and was a popular syndicated show years after that.
Wikipedia has all the details anyone needs to know about any show that will be reviewed here so if you are looking for such information that is your go to place. The review covered all twenty episodes of the television show, the two made for TV movies it is based on, The Night Stalker (1972) and the Night Strangler (1973) and the book, The Night Stalker (1972) by Jeff Rice
Carl Kolchak is a reporter for the Chicago based INS (Independent News Service) who instead of doing his assigned work is drawn to stories that are strange and hard to believe or possibly supernatural in origin. each week the show starts with a voice over of Kolchak laying out the start of the story as we watch the cold open and get a sense of the mystery he will be attempting to solve. The two made for television films are based in Las Vegas and the last scene of The night Strangler have Kolchak and Vincenzo heading to NYC, but we learn in the first episode of the show that the NYC INS has the two men open an office in Chicago.
The dynamics of the show: Kolchak (Darren McGavin) is a force to be reckoned, an experienced reported who can get the story. A personality who is at times determined, manipulative, and at times dishonest he does what it takes to get to the bottom of each mystery he encounters. McGavin pulses with energy in the lead role, a veteran actor has created a character that is both masculine but with a touch of doubt in his ability to deal with the violent nature of the crimes he investigates. His personality is lovable while at times irritating to those around him. His light colored leisure suit and cheap hat are staples of his look making him forever recognizable. The stories he writes never seem to be published because the they seem so unbelievable. He primarily works in an office with editor Tony Vincenzo (Simon Oakland), and fellow reporters Ron Updyke (Jack Grinnage) and Emily Cowles (Ruth McDevitt) although there were characters who were around for a few episodes these four made up the recurring cast. Kolchak is often at odds with Tony, failing to finish his assignments but instead tracking down the strange and unbelievable and getting arrested for trespassing quite often. Kolchak's antics are giving Tony an ulcer but a great thing about Vincenzo is he cares about Kolchak, bailing him out, defending his rights as part of the press and defending him with the home office in NYC. Simon Oakland plays the character with a great hardboiled strength while still exuding a tenderness that comes through even when the scenes where he is frustrated, scolding and yelling. Updyke and written as an effeminate man, impeccably dressed covering the art scene for the paper and Emily as retiree working in the office to stay busy writes the advice column. They are primarily used for comic relief but in later episode at least have scenes where they have something to say beyond being foils foils for Kolchak. The final steady character is the local precinct police official which is a different character in each episode, they all have one thing in common because of Kolchak's reputation none of them like him.
The supernatural is real! One of the great things about the show is the supernatural is real. Kolchak is not one of the Scooby gang in the world of the show the creatures, monsters, are real. From the original film where Kolchak hunts a serial killer who ends up being a vampire through to the end of the show where an Alligator woman is living beneath the streets of Chicago, the monsters really do exist. The contrivance of the show is Kolchak is telling us the audience the story while it never gets published primarily because of lack of evidence, destroyed evidence, government or home office interference. The stories are covered up and the public never hears what really happened. The show covers many of common horror tropes, vampires, voodoo zombies, werewolves, witchcraft, succubus and less familiar ones like ancient goddess worship, Aztec gods, various cryptids, vengeful spirits, aliens forces. Creative in the sense that the stories are modernized to the time period but still very well tread ground. During the 70's there was a craze for paranormal things from the Bermuda Triangle to Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, to out of body travel and telekinesis and spontaneous combustion, were in in the cultural zeitgeist. Kolchak reflects the crazes and brings them all to Chicago. Now there is an angle to consider, all the stories are narrated to us by Kolchak is it possible that he is an unreliable narrator? As a reporter looking for a sensational story is he embellishing to create the fantastical story? No one believes him while the story happens. We see in the show that others including the authorities see unexplainable behavior but insist every time that it is not supernatural in any way. Even at one point an episode has Kolchak hammering a stake into a call girl's heart as the police arrive they see him. The next scene is Kolcheck on a plane explaining that he was arrested for murder by was released 12 hours later after the coroner's report said the victim had been dead for three years. So is it just Kolchak is making stuff up and telling stories?
The Night Stalker and popular culture of the time. The show certainly reflects the times it was written in more ways that the the fantastical subject popular in its day. There are references throughout about the culture of the time. From acceptance of adult cinema, swinging, gentrification of poor neighborhoods, corporate greed, women in the workplace and treatment of the elderly were all reference at some point in the twenty episodes.
What doesn't hold up so well abound in this series. There is a steady and pervasive sexism in the show, even though there are victims of both sexes, the primary use of women in the show is as a victim or as someone Kolchak can charm, or attempt to charm. They fit into roles sometimes as the villain, an old voodoo witch, a stealer of youth using a Greek goddess, a call girl vampire, w model using witchcraft to get ahead and a succubus. Secondary female characters are characterized as ditsy or in one case called fat and made fun of through an episode. Even when attempting to have a positive woman role they swing and miss. The fortune teller more interested in what Kolchak can pay, or the police captain who cares more about her attractive image. If there is something positive to be said about the portrayal of women in the show it would be, it was a time before the entertainment business decided that only really young women are attractive. The actresses in the show at the time range mostly from their 30s to 60s
There are a couple of episodes featuring Native American themes neither of which are as culturally sensitive as they would be today. As to this the couple o episodes featuring other cultures, Indian (India), Jewish, Cajun, Black, Urban and even Aztec which I am sure would be handled differently if the show was made today.
Should you watch this show if you have the opportunity? A GIANT YES! This show is a predecessor to many other shows that are based in a real world but with supernatural aspects. Supposedly it was an influence for Chris Carter before he developed The X Files. Kolchak is the epitome of a well developed character and Darren McGavin is the reason why. Like all television some of the episodes outshine others there are some really wonderful ones in this series but Gavin is steady and strong in his characterization of Kolchak always rings true. The show has a scary edge but is not particularly frightening. Many of the monsters are far from raising terror in the audience. Still it's charms strongly outweigh its drawbacks.
Monday, February 28, 2022
Etheria Film Fest Through the Years - 2016
Women in Horror Month 2022
A look back at the first ten years
NOTE: Many of the shorts that were part of the Etheria Film Festival can not be found on Amazon Prime video and on Shudder as part of your subscription Search for Etheria and see all six seasons!
Etheria Film Festival 2016
Directed by Anna Biller (120:00) (Supernatural Exploitation) (USA) (35mm)
A modern-day witch uses spells and magic to get men to fall in love with her, with deadly consequences.
Available on Amazon Prime Video
Etheria Film Night 2016 Official Short Film Selections
Genghis Khan Conquers the Moon - In Genghis Khan's last days, an encounter with a Wizard sends him to the Moon. Just as the Mediaeval anti-hero thinks he's made his greatest conquest, he finds himself on a spiritual quest, realizing the absurd clash between one man's need and the silence of the Universe
Directed by Kerry Yang (17:00) (Science Fiction) (USA)
Bionic Girl - In this absurdist musical, a scientist afraid to face the outside world creates her own android clone replacement.
Directed by Stephanie Cabdevila (14:30) (Fantasy/Sci-Fi) (France)
HOSS - When a devastating tsunami destroys the west coast, a cowgirl roams the now lawless Malibu hills looking for justice.
Directed by Christine Boylan (13:00) (Western) (USA)
YouTube Link - About the film and kickstart used to make it.
ReStart - Andrea is trapped in a temporal loop. Will she be able to break it?
Directed by Olga Osorio (15:00) (Science Fiction) (Spain)
Boxer - A middle-aged contract killer must reconcile her life between her ruthless clients and her young, unquestioning son who wants to be just like her.
Directed by Toy Lei (4:47) (Action/Thriller) (USA)
Link to Toy Lei talking about her film
The Stylist - Claire is a lonely hairstylist with an unnerving desire to escape her disappointing reality. When her final client of the evening arrives with the request to look perfect, Claire has plans of her own.
Directed by Jill Gevargizian (15:00) (Horror) (USA)
Hard Broads - Three women have to transport a celebrity’s body without anyone knowing she’s dead.
Directed by Mindy Bledsoe (10:00) (Dark Comedy) (USA)
The Puppet Man - A supernatural killer stalks a young woman and her friends in a seedy, neon-lit dive bar in this short film featuring horror legend John Carpenter.
Directed by Jacqueline Castel (9:08) (Horror) (USA)
Nasty - It’s 1982. Twelve-year old Doug is drawn into the lurid world of VHS horror as he explores the mysterious disappearance of his father.
Directed by Prano Bailey-Bond (15:09) (Horror) (UK)
Etheria Film Fest Through the Years - 2015
Women in Horror Month 2022
A look back at the first ten years
NOTE: Many of the shorts that were part of the Etheria Film Festival can not be found on Amazon Prime video and on Shudder as part of your subscription Search for Etheria and see all six seasons!
Etheria Film Festival 2015
INNER DEMON - A teenage girl is abducted by a serial killer couple and manages to escape and find refuge in an isolated farmhouse, only to discover it is home to greater horrors and a malevolent spirit.
(2014, recipe 84 minutes, Australia) Written and Directed by Ursula Dabrowsky
Rent on Amazon Prime or get it as part of your subscription to Screambox
Short Films
SHEILA SCORNED - When Sheila Johnson accidentally messes up a major illicit deal, local kingpin Barry and his goons kidnap her from the club where she dances. Unfortunately for Barry and the men, Sheila also happens to be a shit talking, ass kicking psychopath with a plan of her own. And there's nothing she hates more than men on a power trip...
(USA, Action/Thriller, 17:45)
Directed by Mara Gasbarro Tasker
SHEVENGE - From Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) ) comes this twisted, darkly comedic, genre-bending tale of revenge - a revenge of the worst kind - Shevenge! While at a killer slumber party, Sam, Taylor and Charley embark on a journey of revenge and empowerment.
(USA, Fantasy/Action/Comedy, 11:31)
Directed by Amber Benson
EL GIGANTE - After attempting to cross the US/Mexico border in search of a better life, Armando awakens in an unknown room, his body broken down and a Lucha Libre mask sewn into his neck. He attempts to escape, but is surrounded by a sadistic family, who watch him with hungry eyes.
(Canada/Mexico, Horror, 13:42)
Directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero
GÖDEL INCOMPLETE - A time-travel romance between one of the great minds of the 20th Century, Kurt Godel, and a lonely particle physicist, Serita Cedric, a research student working at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland.
(Australia, Science Fiction, 13:21)
Directed by Martha Goddard
DE NOCHE Y DE PRONTO *Jury Award for Best Film* - Home alone in a deserted apartment building during the Christmas season, Maria is startled to receive a visit from a desperate man claiming to be her upstairs neighbor, whose apartment is being broken into by thieves
(Spain, Thriller, 19:53)
Directed by Arantxa Echevarria
SLUT *Audience Award Winner* - A naive young girl becomes the target of a murderous sociopath when she attempts to reinvent herself to impress the boys in her small Texas town.
(USA, Horror, 20:49)
Directed by Chloe Okuno
Etheria Film Fest Through the Years - 2014
Women in Horror Month 2022
A look back at the first ten years
Etheria Film Festival 2014
NOTE: Many of the shorts that were part of the Etheria Film Festival can not be found on Amazon Prime video and on Shudder as part of your subscription Search for Etheria and see all six seasons!
“Wakening” – Danis Goulet
(2013, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Canada, 9 mins)
In the near future, the environment has been destroyed and society suffocates under a brutal military occupation. A lone Cree wanderer Wesakechak searches an urban war zone to find the ancient and dangerous Weetigo to help fight against the occupiers.
“Job Interview” – Julia Walter
(2013, Thriller, Germany, 10 mins)
When Lisa applies for a job everything seems to be turning out pretty well… Until the boss Marie starts asking strange questions and the job interview turns out to be a little different than expected…
“You Me & Her” – directed by Sarah Doyle
(2014, Science Fiction, USA, 20 mins)
When 30 versions of one person pass through the wormhole at the Department of Parallel Resettlement, Anna discovers she is the worst possible version of herself.
“Dia de los Muertos” – directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero
(2014, Horror, Mexico/Canada, 12 mins)
On the night of ‘Dia De Los Muertos,’ the women of the La Candelaria strip club seek revenge on those who have abused them.
“Dawn” – directed by Rose McGowan
(2013, Thriller, USA, 18 mins)
Dawn is a quiet young teen that longs for something or someone to free her from her sheltered life. One day she meets Charlie, a high school dropout, who offers her a glimpse into a world she dreams to be a part of.
“Hide & Seek” – directed by Kayoko Asakura
(2013, Horror, Japan, 11 mins)
A schoolgirl visits a house to take a Koto lesson. She meets her teacher and her son, and they seem to be playing “HIDE and SEEK” in the house. The Koto lesson starts but the girl soon realizes that there’s something very odd about the teacher.
You can purchase this short at Vimeo for $1.99 or rent it for .99 cents
“The Jelly Wrestler” – *LA Premiere* directed by Rebecca Thomson
(2013, Action/Comedy, Australia, 14 mins)
With one last shot at jelly glory, washed up wrestler and barmaid Eileen must grapple with aging, betrayal and her own jelly wrestling demons – a task that may well put her down for the count.
Friday, February 25, 2022
Etheria Film Fest Through the Years - 2013
Women in Horror Month 2022
Etheria Film Festival 2013
NOTE: Many of the shorts that were part of the Etheria Film Festival can not be found on Amazon Prime video and on Shudder as part of your subscription Search for Etheria and see all six seasons!
Warnings from the Bathtub - Elizabeth Appel - A woman disregards the warnings from the hallucination of her dead mother in the bathtub and sublimates her passion for men who betray her to a couch she’s quite sure will forever be faithful. Quickly she learns obsessive love consumes.
The End of the Night - Emilie Rosas - Shot with the players of RM Grandeur Nature, The End of the Night chronicles the events surrounding the rebellion of the Sons of the Dawn against the Mayflies during the period known as "Eternal Night".
Culling - Kerinne Jenkins - In an irradiated, subterranean world, a naive, but compassionate boy finds himself having to decide what is really important in life.
Butterflies - Isabel Peppard - A young artist sits on the sidewalk, struggling to make a living. She makes drawings for the passersby. A businessman recognises her talents and offers her a paying job. The prospect seems inviting but the reality threatens to kill her imagination..
The Rift - Belinda McCulloch - In a dystopian future where people are abducted by an unseen force, a young couple fight to stay together and find answers in the shadows.
Render - Surita Parmar - A man and woman living in a computer-generated landscape struggle to comprehend that their universe isn't real.
Monster - Deborah Burns - Monster is a fable set in a pastoral post-apocalyptic time. Hannah, played by Jodelle Ferland, draws the winning lot to feed a terrifying hungry monster waiting in the forest.
Best Friends Forever - Brea Grant - Harriet, a comic book artist with a secret, and her reckless BFF, Reba, take their '76 AMC Pacer on the open road and instead get a wild ride towards an impending nuclear apocalypse.
You can watch the film on Amazon Prime
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Etheria FIlm Fest Through the Years - 2012
Women in Horror Month 2022
A look back at the first ten years
Etheria Film Festival 2012
NOTE: Many of the shorts that were part of the Etheria Film Festival can not be found on Amazon Prime video and on Shudder as part of your subscription Search for Etheria and see all six seasons!
Seamstress – Gracie Otto (Australia) - An ailing bird watcher becomes obsessed with a seamstress living next door when he observes her luring birds into her home. He discovers that she needs the birds to survive, and that he may hold the key to furthering the species.
IMDB page - Director's IMDB page
Oowie Wanna – Bridget Palardy (Savage Cole)(USA) - While doing laundry, a misfit 7-year-old girl tumbles into an alluring other-world, where she must decide the fate of her birthmark.
IMDB Page - Director's IMDB page
Prita Noire – Sofia Carrillo (Mexico) - A fantastical animated story of two sisters in a strange place, and their strange relationship.
She Wolf – Francesca Reverdito (Italy) - Little Red Riding Hood turns the table on the wolf.
IMDB Page - Director's IMDB page
The Maiden and the Princess – Ali Scher (USA) - A fairy tale about a young girl who loves the princess instead of the prince.
IMDB Page - Director's IMDB page
The Hunter and the Swan Discuss Their Meeting – Emily Carmichael (USA) - A Brooklyn couple have dinner with a hunter and his girlfriend, a magical swan woman. It doesn’t go well.
The Stolen – Karen Lam (Canada) - A dark fairytale about an imaginative little girl who saves a bullied boy and is granted a secret wish.
The Red Hood – Danishka Esterhazy (Canada) - A dark re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood set in the Canadian prairies during the Great Depression
The Provider – Brianne Nord-Stewart (Canada) - In an alternate-history 1940s small town America, after Japan retaliates over Hiroshima with biological warfare, the local doctor’s home is the safest place to seek refuge. Or is it?
Undetected – Kristen Anderson (Sueve) (USA) - A blown engine on a remote road forces two sisters to look for help in a ghost-town from a couple that closely resembles the living dead.
Laura Keller – Maureen (Mo) Perkins (USA) - With global population at an extreme high, federal fertility lotteries now determine who can and can’t reproduce. When one woman learns that she will be permanently sterilized, her faith in the system is shaken.
Imminent Danger – Alana McNair (USA) - Whoops! After an unintentional button pressing incident alerting Earth of its impending demise, Gail must find a way to reverse this misunderstanding and save the world!
Kaboomtown – Jakqui Schuler (USA) - As the human race keeps on exploding around her, Jane struggles to fill out a stack of application forms to stay alive.
Slashed – Rebecca Thomson (Australia) - Worlds will collide when Renata and Frieda’s erotic fantasies cross the digital frontier.
Volcano Girl – Ashley Maria (USA) - Fighting super villains is easy. Losing your superhero job, moving back home and sharing a bathroom with your little sister? Now that’s hard.
We Are All Cylons – Ilana Rein (USA) - We Are All Cylons investigates our very human enthusiasm for technology and myth by examining the metaphysical resonances of the television series “Battlestar Galactica.”
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Salem Horror Fest 2021 - The Amusement Park (1975)
Iron City Ass Kickers (2021) Another older Romero pulled from the archive for the Horrorfest is this pilot episode hoped to become a television series. It centers around the local pro wrestling curcuit in Pittsburgh and tells the story of one of the big matches, for the Iron City title, it has the bad guy champion and the beloved challenger and many of the theatrics you would find in the WWE, I am not quite sure where they were going with this but it is a weird little entry in the Romero world. The man himself plays a bar patron in some scenes but the show seemed to be lacking any meta content leaving it an imitation of the already imitation wrestling world.
Monday, October 4, 2021
Salem Horror Fest - Hall (2020)
This film was a bit too close to home now a year and 8 months into our own pandemic. There is a great way that writers Derrick Adams, Francesco Giannini(story) & Adam Kolodny spend time in the script allowing the audience to know characters. There are these really smart introductions with just enough background that when the shit starts hitting the fan the audience cares about characters and fewer seem like a body count. Primarily bouncing between Naomi (Yumiko Shaku), a woman who has fled to America on the premise of work but really has fled the husband of her unborn child because as she puts it he is a "bad man". In her interactions with the other lead Val (Carolina Bartczak) a woman in an abusive relationship looking for a way out and trying to protect her daughter while she finds it. The instances and dialog of "Mommy's clumsy" etc. are cliché in establishing the abuse but the feeling director Francesco Giannini creates with framing and music really brings home the threat of the husband character Branden (Mark Gibson) and kudos to him too for his ability to scare and threaten just with his quiet moodiness. When a viral agent is released on the floor the two women are staying, we flash between them seeing how they got to where they are but also suddenly the effects of the crisis on each and the steps they take to deal with it. The viral agent does not just sicken those exposed but also makes then violent in the last throws of the sickness. Having to navigate the hall full of infected people creates a drama that is as menacing as the personal lives these women lead. Broken up into what is happening during the outbreak and Flashbacks that add a nice character development, I came away really liking this film, even though If I don't have to see another thing about viruses for several more years, I would be glad.
Salem Horror Fest - Landlocked (No release date)
The concept of using an old camcorder to view the past is a very cool idea, I start thinking about some of the time swirling ideas that Aaron Morehead and Justin Benson have been coming up with but here is a much less reality trippy version of that. Director Paul Owens brings us a gently paced rumination on life and the places that capture those memories in this film where he intertwines the story of the family house being torn down with his personal home movies. A shy man he did not have a ton to say at the Q&A but the film is a unique take on our need to process memories and how they connect to the places we live.
I personally am a bit jealous of the idea that someone can have a family home where they spent their entire childhood. My family moved town to town and back never really staying in one place longer than a couple years. I think we all want that stability and connection to the places we have lived and in this film Owens shares a strong connection with his childhood even if the premise is a conceit.
Salem Horror Fest 2021 Wicked Shorts 1
Salem Horror Fest Short program #1 - I love shorts and although all the shorts in the program are not necessarily brand new the collection is really well curated and was quite thought provoking and enjoyable. Trying to be spoiler free ion shorts is somewhat difficult but I will give it a try. I will give the description provided by the fest and then whatever thoughts have on the content again trying to be some what spoiler free. I missed a couple in this first screening with traffic delaying my arrival but I have another opportunity to fill in the ones I missed next week.
Marked (2021) by Matthew Avery Berg - A tattoo artist is forced to confront his past when a client knows what his tattoos really mean. This short was not my cup of tea but still so professionally put together about a tattoo artist whose ink is recognized by his client. An interesting story about the meaning of tattoos in the Russian mob it is a revenge story at its heart. Cruel and unforgiving like it’s subject it was a solid entry at the Salem Horror fest shorts program.
DYSTOPIA (2020) - Directed by Laura Ugolini Forget reality shows and Instagram beauties; a young girl's fantasy becomes the playground for a gang of women set to create the perfect man, one limb at a time. Teaser for the short I reserve the right to change this as the setting made it difficult to read the subtitles. A weird little play in a child’s imagination it speaks to how children are programmed to the need to be beautiful and roles in searching for the perfect man, the shocking lengths that the characters in that fantasy go to make that happen.
Don't Text back (2020) -Directors - Kaye Adelaide & Mariel Sharp A woman seeks the help of an energy healer to rid herself of a cursed necklace that strangles her every time she doesn’t text back her bad Tinder date. Wonderfully amusing, as it pokes fun at new age healing while still addressing the very disturbing issues around tinder stalking. When a energy healer helps a woman with a unique problem they both benefit from the outcome. Humor and a serious cursed necklace equals a fun little short without glossing over the dangers of stalking. Teaser Here
Logan Lee & the Rise of the Purple Dawn (2019) - Directed by Raymond C. Lai - DJ Logan will play today at the party of Beatrice Pan, a friend with whom he is in love. To reassure himself, he smokes potent marijuana. - This short was weird and wild with a original structure and cool ideas along the lines of They Live but instead of sun glasses you need to get high on Purple Dawn. Starring actor Osric Chau who I know from his role as Kevin Tran on the show Supernatural I really liked this short. His quest to save the girl he longs for from the energy sucking cyborgs was very cool.
Sundown Town (2021) - Directed by Milo Butler, Bryce & Mitchell's trip home is disrupted after making a pit stop in a mysteriously unwelcoming town. This short plays sort of like the episode of Lovecraft Country where they had to be out of the all white county before dark, but with a queer twist to add to the racist one of that show. Being a short the violence is less big budget but still personal and effective.
Bed (2020) by Emily Bennett - Bed is going to get a higher rating from me because it is an excellent portrayal of the effect of sexual violence and the lingering trauma associated with it. It is a sad and serious watch but really well done. The short is a woman in her bedroom not being able to use it to sleep. Through her hallucinations and flashbacks we learn just what happened to her. Very well written and executed.
Miss Blueberry Beauty Pageant (2020) - Directed Sarah Kennedy Welcome to the 1984 Miss Blueberry Beauty Pageant! Where the girls are a feast for the eyes and as sweet as honey. Follow these three finalists as they navigate the twists and turns of a pageant that reveals a much more sinister secret. This short was so much fun. Funny and ridiculous with the right mount of hamming, it follows the last three contestants in a pageant that has an unexpected outcome.
Verified (2020) - by Ali Chappell A lonely but hopeful insta-influence gets bit by a zombie while live-streaming and finally gets the audience she craves... but at what cost? So much satire and humor wrapped up into a topic, influencers wanting to be verified accounts, that this one oozes fun. Nice effects and a really well thought out horror bit made this very enjoyable.
No Game Like Foxes (2020) - by Raphael Arkera A man finds himself being stalked by a relentless killer, in a deadly game where humans are hunted for sport. Now this is a short I did not really connect with trying hard to find a logic that did not really make sense to me. Maybe I was over thinking it but I struggled with the "whys" in this short. Well made but I just didn't quite grasp the meanings. The masks were cool.
Saturday, October 2, 2021
Salem Horror Fest 2021 - Miracle Valley
The plot was fun in that it had several little turns and surprises including a cold open that came back into play in a big way later with the character Erika (Louisa Torres). The relationship troubles worked to setup a bit of tension that facilitates Sarah being taken in with Father Jake and allowing him to build trust with her. The silver hawk hunt gets them where they need to be and the added couples raise the body count. It all worked to get the film into gear. The music in the beginning and the a scene at the end really gave me a Tarantino vibe whether intentional or not. The film sounds good throughout and the horror cues were pretty right on. Later the crazy cult twins Ellie Smith and Amy Smith, playing Mira and Kelly did their best Manson girls imitations was kind of fun to watch. There were a couple cheap jump scares but that is perfectly alright. The film appeared to be filmed primarily in Arizona but Sestero says he was thrilled to be able to use Frank Lloyd Wrights falling waters house in Pennsylvania for a scene at the end of the film. It's harder to comment about the acting, or if some of the writing put me off but it felt a bit uneven to me. Much of the film is carried by Edwards as Father Jake, but at times I was the wished for a more likable personality that turns dark and threatening. It may be that the introduction he had was the opposite, a threatening manner that quickly turned gentle after seeing Sarah. He also have to turn on the charms later but some of the friendly stuff, even though I knew there was menace behind it didn't come through as evil as I wanted it to be. Overall I enjoyed the film so even though I did not stay around to talk to the film makers, (too tired) and it was a great start to the Salem Horror Fest
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)