The Halloween Gods had struck me down for my hubris during week five with a stomach bug. Thankfully I am all caught up with the 61 Days of Halloween on Shudder to write my week five recap.
So, what were the offerings and how do I rank them? Let’s go.
Now to go catch up with week six.
#7 – Nightmare Cinema
Nightmare Cinema is a horror anthology. It’s not my favorite of the anthologies shown during the 61 Days of Halloween so far, nor is it my favorite of the movies shown in week five. The only real segment that felt worth watching was the final segment involving ghosts and a vengeful carjacker. Even with that being said, the segment was still a bit of a mess. The shorts are presented as films in a purgatoryesque movie theater where they are being shown their sins or whatever. The whole project feels like it is more of a failed horror anthology television show than a cohesive anthology film.
It’s not great.
#6 – The Lift
This horror film from the Netherlands, The Lift, is a little bit goofy and not written well, but still pretty fun. You’d be surprised how many ways an elevator can kill people. Well, there’s really only two or three… but they sure are fun to watch. The movie follows an elevator technician who discovers a computerized menace that has caused an elevator to become homicidal.
Honestly, it sounds like a standup bit, I know, but it’s worth seeing for the novelty of the elevator killing people. The story around it is kind of terrible, including the awful subplot about adultery, but you gotta take the bad (poor writing) with the good (elevator murder).
#5 – Dead and Buried
What happens when you get Dan O’Bannon as your screenwriter about two years after Alien? You get this delightful little seaside horror tale called Dead & Buried. The movie, dated to 1981, feels like it is firmly planted in the storytelling and aesthetics of the late 1970s, but it isn’t a terrible thing, either. The film is very modest in budget and means, telling a limited tale about disappearing strangers in a seaside community and a mortician who seems to know more than he lets on. It also has a rather fun twist ending which, ultimately isn’t that shocking, but has a fun reveal regardless.
All in all, a surprisingly fun like slice of horror. Plus, a surprising appearance by a pre-Freddy Robert Englund.
#4 – The Mimic
K-Horror has been a big feature of Shudder’s 61 Days of Halloween and as a whole, they’ve largely worked as good Halloween flicks for the event. They also come off as surprisingly worldly. The Mimic is a good example of this.
Based on a Korean folktale about the Tiger of Jangsan, the film follows a family, struggling with the loss of a child, under assault by the supernatural entity. The film plays a bit with themes of isolation quite well, and it really ratchets up the tension inherent of the Tiger’s ability: it mimics voices to lure the unsuspecting. The film has some generally creepy moments and while it has some culturally-specific moments, anyone should be able to dive in and enjoy it. Overall, a solid pick.
#3 – Daniel Isn’t Real
Daniel Isn’t Real was one of the first Shudder exclusives I had heard of, but never got around to seeing. Thankfully I finally sat down to watch it and it turned out to be one of my favorite films of the week.
The movie follows a young man from a family troubled by mental illness who develops an imaginary friend as a child, who is not so imaginary back then, or now, when he resurfaces. The film is pretty stylish and presents some creepy moments involving possessions and influence. It’s particularly tense to watch if you cringe easily at people doing things against the will and hurting people in their lives.
The film also has the unique bonus of starring sons of major Hollywood figures: Miles Robbins, son of Tim Robbins, plays the protagonist, Luke, while Patrick Schwarzenegger plays the titular Daniel. I should not need to explain who Patrick’s father is…
#2 – Scare Me
We arrive at another Shudder exclusive that was surprisingly fun and an example of some of the more unique horror-comedy offerings on the service. Scare Me is a fun little film that follows two writers telling scary stories that grow increasingly personal until the early hours of the morning. There is a kind of manic improvisational energy to the whole thing, and while it is light on scares, ends up being a fun diversion for an October night.
You can read a more in-depth review of Scare Me here at Haunted MTL.
#1 – Wake Wood
Wake Wood surprised me. I had not heard of it before and I was pleasantly surprised to see the logo for Hammer Films pop up as I sat down to watch. Hammer Films’ recent resurgence has been fun to witness. The movie is a throwback to 1970s rural village horror and as a whole, it is quite fun. I could see this being made back in 1976 or so and turning out quite well.
The film itself is effective, carried largely by the performances of Aiden Gillen and Eva Birthistle as parents who strike a deal to bring their dead daughter back to life for three days. Unfortunately, secrets are kept and this deal goes south, as one would expect from a horror film. It just feels like a deliberately small-scale throwback and I really enjoyed it.
So those are the films of week five, ranked. What do you think? Feel free to let me know if you agree or disagree in the comments.
As for the lineup for the rest of the month, Shudder has us covered.
“But Brannyk,” you may be thinking, “what am I supposed to do now that I am no longer a real being? How shall I spend my days?”
Unfortunately, the government has not released a handbook for this occasion, so I thought we could brainstorm together.
BECOME A GHOST
There are some benefits to being a ghost, for sure.
No rent or insurance payment. No corporate job, no cleaning cat litter, no AT&T trying to sell you another line after repeatedly telling them that you just want to make sure that your autopayment is on, but they’re all like, ‘Why would you pass up such a bargain on a second line? Are you an idiot?Why wouldn’t you need another phone line?‘ and so you have to tell them, “Because I’M DIVORCED, ASSHOLE, THANKS FOR REMINDING ME OF THAT!”
Or, my absolute biggest pet peeve, when you’re practicing for the ghost speed chair-stacking championship and the normies just don’t appreciate your cool skills.
The cool thing is that they come in all shapes and sizes.
Monsters are generally misunderstood. Some have their fans. Others are hated.
So basically, just like people, except with more tentacles.
The only downsides are that you might be too big or too “ick” for some people (these can also be pluses), you may have a taste for human flesh (no judgement), or the biggest issue – there are too many choices.
You could get stuck trying to figure out what kind of monster you are. If you’re not into labels, it’s an absolute nightmare. Or if you’re like me, it’ll be like standing in Subway for 15 minutes trying to figure out what toppings and dressings you want while the “sandwich artist” is openly judging you.
(4 / 5)
I like the customization, but it can be a bit too overwhelming.
BECOME A CRYPTID
Hear me out. I know it seems a lot like the monster category, but it’s not quite.
Cryptids are weird and mysterious. They keep to themselves. They have people who are fascinated by them and post on Reddit about them. Some have people making documentaries about them.
They’re like monsters’ quieter cousin who reads books in the corner at family gatherings. They collect shiny things they find by the side of the road. Sometimes they’ll steal a peanut butter sandwich or two.
Each one kinda has their own goals and priorities. Their own hangouts and interests. But unlike monsters, they’re not looking to rock any boats-
Never mind, I stand corrected.
(5 / 5)
I like the freedoms of being a cryptid and also dig the cottage-core vibe I get from them.
CONCLUSION: LET’S BE REAL FOR A SECOND…
I know it’s hard right now. It’s going to be hard. You may not exist to some assholes, but you are real. You have real feelings and thoughts and dreams. You have a real future. You have real decisions. Real actions that affect this world.
You have the real ability to wake up tomorrow and choose to exist. And for whatever reason you choose. Use it. Ghosts and monsters and cryptids are powerful, just like you are, even when you don’t feel like it. They have a place in our human world, just like you do. You make this world interesting and important.
You are part of this world, you are real, and you are not alone.
The horror community is one of acceptance, diversity, creativity and passion. In these times, it needs to be. We need to rely on each other. We need to cultivate and protect each other, as much as we need to protect ourselves.
And it looks like I’ll be coming out of my own cryptid hovel I’ve spent the past few years in to remind you that. My job isn’t done. Not by a longshot. And neither is yours.
If you live in the United States, it’s time to rock the vote for real. I shared this video before in conjunction with my identity-based costume work, and I feel it’s important to revisit now, with the election coming up in just a few days. Besides which, Jack Black and Tenacious D are brilliant and given the current political climate, who doesn’t want to do the time warp? But seriously, get out and rock the vote, your life kinda does depend on it (at least insomuch as being able to make for yourself the life that you want, without the government telling you how to do so – especially if you live on the fringes of socially acceptable awkwardness like me and so many of my friends).
Besides which, this video is so good, it’s worth sharing again anyway. And again, if for some reason the video doesn’t load, you can find it here.
Art Attack
And here are some artworks I made awhile back as political commentary. The photograph was shot of the scene exactly as found, of a sign above a parking lot in a quickly gentrifying neighborhood making sure all knew that any unauthorized vehicles were unwelcome, and hung right in front of a flag that was tattered and torn from being caught on the chain link fence driving the point home. The flags were meant to be interactive, with gallerygoers waving them while singing The Star Spangled Banner in its elitist entirety. The whole really spoke to me regarding some of the political climate at the time (this was right before Trump was elected President the first time). How much has changed since then? In some ways, a lot. In other ways, I guess we shall see.
So on my recent road trip to Miami AZ USA for my menstruation art installation, we decided to detour to Roswell NM en route home. To be honest, this was one of the best decisions of my life, up there with road trippin’ from Arizona to San Francisco along CA-Highway 1, and I will go into the details of why here soon.
Roswell NM USA has totally embraced its alien history of the UFO crash in the late 1940s and subsequent government cover up. The whole town is alien-happy with beautiful hand carved wood totems, murals and statues everywhere celebrating otherworldly denizens of all types, though predominantly the gray aliens of the crash (and their green counterparts). Even the city logo features a flying saucer as the center of the letter “R”. It really is kind of incredible.
One of the biggest draws is the International UFO Museum and Research Center, housed in the wonderful old theater building. This museum details the crash history as well as celebrating aliens in movies and media and examining newer alien sightings and abductions. It is very thorough and includes maquettes, statues, written accounts and an extensive research library, as well as an interesting art collection of various items.
And there are TONS of fun alien themed curiosity shops. I will give a shout out to the newer Invasion Station north on Main Street where there had once been an old car dealership. I love the quirky nature of this particular store as well as their strong desire to promote local artists. Most of their wares are hand-painted in NM and feature designs by prominent local artists including one of the lead muralists in town (I bought a magnet of his). They also feature really alternative kitsch like KISS and Ace Frehley alien bobbleheads, marijuana and anal references, and such. All in all, our own Haunted MTL’s kinda folks…
And the city is a huge tourist draw internationally, so you can meet some amazing and interesting folks from all walks of life who have caught the alien bug or at least want to check out all the hype. As a result of the tourism, the residents seem really laid back and accommodating (kind of like Hawaii but not quite as much) and there is a thriving art scene. And it’s totally my kind of art – weird and a little creepy. Anyway, I feel like I’ve finally found my peeps and am eager to return someday.
If you’re feeling a bit extraterrestrial, I invite you to also check out some of my alien-themed stories here on Haunted MTL: LTD UFOs among us; my Drive-By short story; and LTD Abducted.