Weekly Wail – To everything turn, turn, The Turning
Another week, another wail. Haunted MTL readers, please let us know what you think about this weekly blog. Have you found anything interesting from it? Do you want us to cover more of certain things? By all means, sound off in the comments. We’d love to hear it.
As for me, I recently had a nightmare where I spontaneously begin clipping through the floor like I was in a glitched-out videogame. Unpleasant. Perhaps this quick survey of stuff will prove helpful.
The Turning is out…
The Turning (2020) is a loose adaptation of the classic Henry James ghost story “The Turn of the Screw.” Directed by Floria Sigismondi and written by Carey and Chad Hayes, the movie follows a governess (Mackenzie Davis, Terminator: Dark Fate) who cares for two children, played by Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) and Brooklynn Prince (The Florida Project). Naturally, spooky things occur.
Before you possibly see it, please check out our review of the film.
No, really, Parasite is a ghost story
I mentioned in my review of Parasite (2019) there are some elements of the film that, to me, make it a ghost story in many respects. If you’ve not seen the movie just yet, perhaps it would be best to skip the current section.
Parasite is Bong Joon-ho’s (Snowpiercer, Okja) latest film. It combines dark comedy, class struggle, and progressively worse decisions into a fantastic thriller and is well worth your time.
Now, what exactly do I mean when I talk about Parasite as a ghost story? As I see it, there are two particularly key elements of the movie that, when considered through the philosophical lens of Hauntology turn the film into a haunted house story.
While the film initially presents the eccentricities of the Parks’ youngest child, Da-song as a bit of a mystery. Yeon-gyo, the mother, implies as much. However, it is not until the reveal of the husband of the housekeeper living below the Parks’ house for years that things click into place. Da-song’s ghost is merely Geun-sae, the man who comes up from the basement and manipulates the lights. The boy’s troubles and the larger troubles of the Park family stem from this pseudo haunting.
The above does not require the hauntological lens, however. That is conveyed quite bluntly during the duration of the film. The two hauntings in question are the specters of failed providers and North Korean tensions.
Hauntology
Hauntology is a philosophical concept coined by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida in the landmark book Spectres of Marx. The term is a pun on haunting and ontology, which is fantastic as a joke in literary circles. What hauntology deals with is an intrusion of the past into the present, often in such a way that we attribute to hauntings and ghosts. While this definition has been greatly expanded in recent years, it stems from an analysis of how the thoroughly dead socioeconomic-mode of Marxism has a funny way of lingering in the western world. Today the right struggles with anxieties over “socialism.”
In the most basic definition possible, hauntology is the intrusion of past anxiety in the present, but that past is also of the present because that past never dies and continues to shape the present.
Okay, are we good? So how do we see this in Parasite?
Failed Providership
Ki-Taek, the patriarch of the Kims, is contrasted by two other men in the film; Park Dong-ik, the successful figure, and Geun-sae, the failed hermit beneath the Parks’ home. Several times in the film, Ki-Taek’s failures as a provider are mentioned or implied, most obviously by the “underground” lifestyle of the Kim family.
Ki-Taek is mentioned to have had several jobs and there is a particular incident with a cake shop that is brought up. Ki-Taek seems to be a loving father and is eager to care for his family, but he also seems broken. The scene with the pizza-boxes and the fumigation, for example, show dead-eyed Ki-Taek folding boxes quickly and dispassionately. His failure as a provider, as exemplified by the cake shop incident, haunts him. It is only when his failures are presented to him in a similar scenario, by the pitiable figure of Geun-sae, that we see a change of demeanor in Ki-Taek.
The fact that both men wind up in early the same situations and place in the final third of the film is striking in that as the one ghost of a failed provider fades, another takes his place, both in spirit, action, and space.
North Korean Anxiety
The device by which so much of the trauma of the film is evoked is the presence of a bomb shelter. The Parks are unaware of shelter beneath their own home, as only Moon-gwang and Geun-sae had knowledge of it from the previous owner of the home. This shelter is explicitly connected to the division of the Korean peninsula into the distinct North and South. While the bunker-dwellers joke about North Korean propaganda, the very presence of the old bunker is that temporal intrusion of a very real past made present.
I want to unpack this further, but I am just rambling at this point. Perhaps I can dive into this topic further in the future. This, of course, is a very, very brief survey of the hauntings that lie beneath the surface of the film.
See you next week!
Anyway, please continue to check out our articles here on Haunted MTL, but mostly come back for the Weekly Wail. You can always post something for us to cover here in the comments, or you can just tag us on Twitter.
Hey there, fright fiends! 👻 Are you ready to sink your fangs into some spine-tingling Black Friday deals? We’ve scoured the darkest corners of Amazon to bring you a blood-curdling collection of horror goodies that’ll make your wallet scream with joy! From classic monsters to modern nightmares, we’ve got something to haunt every horror fan’s dreams. Let’s dive into the madness!
Before we go further – we are an amazon affiliate and if you click these links we may get money for Amazon. With that said, we won’t put up things we don’t suggest so here is the curated list as it sits for Black Friday Week 2024.
🎥 Monstrous Movie Mayhem
Bram Stoker’s Dracula 4K
Sink your teeth into Francis Ford Coppola’s visually stunning adaptation of the classic vampire tale. Watch Gary Oldman’s mesmerizing performance as the Count in glorious 4K resolution!
Christine 4K
Rev up your engines for John Carpenter’s killer car classic! This 4K edition will have you gripping your steering wheel in terror as the demonic Plymouth Fury wreaks havoc.
Akira Blu-ray
Experience the mind-bending anime masterpiece that redefined the genre. Prepare for a psychedelic journey through Neo-Tokyo that’ll leave you questioning reality!
Underworld Ultimate Collection Blu-ray
Dive into the eternal war between vampires and lycans with this action-packed collection. Kate Beckinsale’s leather-clad Selene will have you howling for more!
Resident Evil Steelbook
For the true RE fanatics, this gorgeous steelbook edition is a must-have for your collection. It’s so shiny, you can see the T-virus reflected in it!
Doctor Who Complete David Tennant Blu-ray
Okay, it’s not strictly horror, but who can resist the Weeping Angels? Join the Tenth Doctor on his time-traveling adventures and prepare for some serious sci-fi scares!
Evil Dead Blu-ray
Groovy, baby! Sam Raimi’s cult classic will have you laughing and screaming in equal measure. Remember, this is your boom stick!
Scream (2022) Steelbook
The slasher franchise that knows the rules is back with a vengeance! This meta-horror masterpiece will have you guessing who’s behind the Ghostface mask.
Leviathan 4K UHD Blu-ray
Dive deep into aquatic terror with this underrated gem from the golden age of practical effects. It’s like “The Thing” meets “The Abyss”!
📚 Bone-Chilling Books and Comics
Terrifier 2 BOOK by Tim Waggoner
Can’t get enough of Art the Clown? This novelization of the splatter sensation will paint vivid, gory pictures in your mind. Sleep tight!
The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Ominous Omnibus Vol. 3
D’oh-n’t miss out on this collection of spooky Simpsons stories! It’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween in Springfield all year round.
The Dead Zone by Stephen King
Dive into one of King’s classic tales of psychic abilities and political intrigue. Johnny Smith’s visions will keep you on the edge of your seat!
🎮 Ghoulish Games and Collectibles
Halloween and Ash vs Evil Dead PS5
Double the horror, double the fun! Face off against Michael Myers and the Deadites in this terrifying two-pack of asymmetrical multiplayer games.
Alone in the Dark Xbox Series X
Return to Derceto Manor in this reimagining of the survival horror classic. Just remember, in the dark, you’re never truly alone…
Chucky Funko Pop
Add everyone’s favorite Good Guy doll to your collection! Just don’t turn your back on him, or you might regret it…
Harry Potter LEGO Hogwarts
Who can resist the allure of a magical and/or haunted castle? Build your own magical world and watch out for those Dementors!
🎬 The Final Cut
There you have it, horror hounds! These Black Friday deals are so good, it’s scary. Whether you’re into classic monsters, modern slashers, or cosmic horrors, Amazon’s got something to make your dark heart skip a beat.
But hurry! Like a vampire at sunrise, these deals won’t last forever. If you want to do a general search on your own, feel free to use our link here.
Remember, in the world of horror, the only thing scarier than missing out on these deals is paying full price! Happy haunting, and may your Black Friday be filled with delightful frights! 🎃👻🔪
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.
Breaking News
Joe Bob Briggs Creepy Christmas spooktacular: The Last Drive-In Special Charity phenomena
Famed horror host, Pulitzer Prize nominated, and Cracker Barrel aficionado Joe Bob Briggs is back in action, ready to bring some macabre merriment to your holiday season with Joe Bob’s Creepy Christmas. It also gives us horror fans something to take into the new year, be that something Darcy’s panties (sorry, box, I tried) or just the intangible good feels of hanging with friends and supporting a lot of good causes.
The Return of Joe Bob Briggs’s Christmas Special
The Joe Bob Briggs’s Christmas event is akin to a Jerry Lewis telethon for Gen X, with a twist of ‘the last drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs’. This ‘Briggs’ auction of sorts is a nostalgic nod to the past, especially for those who remember the telethons. The dread, however, has shifted from the … well… whatever Jerry was supposed to do (see Sam Kinison’s bit on this for more info) to that of evil goodies.
Without a doubt, this Joe Bob Briggs special is the event we eagerly anticipate each year. It’s a tradition, and a worthy one at that. We hope to see everyone on the interwebs, joining the ‘creepy links’ and engaging in the conversation (We’ll be on Threads and Twitter….tag us as you wish!) ‘live’ the only way anyone should ever watch a tv show (oh, and I guess on demand, but ya weirdos will never know the sting of the Iron Mutant Award!). ‘Live’ is the only way anyone should ever watch a TV show, especially ‘the last drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs’ (as it’s far too hard to watch tv whilst dead).
Joe Bob’s Creepy Christmas The ‘Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl’ special will hit the airwaves live on Shudder TV and AMC+ TV on Friday, December 15th at 9 p.m. ET. Fans of ‘the last drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs’ can also catch the special on-demand starting Sunday, December 17th.
A Creepy Christmas with a Cause
In its fourth year, the holiday tradition of The Last Drive-In goes beyond mere entertainment. It aims to use the platform to raise funds for four vital causes. The charity auction will feature unique props and exclusive merchandise from The Last Drive-In and memorabilia from Briggs’ illustrious 35-year career…including some of his unspoken work as John Bloom. I say Unspoken, because if anyone remembers the first Christmas Special, the autographed copy of Eccentric Orbits was featured (sincerely, a good book–check it out if you haven’t. Jim gives it 4.5/5)
The supported charities for Joe Bob’s Creepy Christmas will include:
- Wildlife Conservation Network
- Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Every Mother Counts
- Solving Kids’ Cancer
The Mystery of the Joe Bob Briggs’s Creepy Christmas Special
The anticipation for Joe Bob’s Creepy Christmas is high, with fans wildly speculating what films will be featured. Personally, nothing can beat the #1 top horror Christmas film of all time, the Easter classic: Passion of the Christ (if a snuff film about a guy who doesn’t fit in getting whipped and nailed up doesn’t scream horror story, I don’t know what does. Also: See Sam Kinison’s concept on crosses and resurrection). However, a Christmas movie I really want to see up on this is Hogzilla and Kiss Save Santa Clause! BOOMMM!! Christmas Won!
As we eagerly wait for December 15th, we wonder what surprises our favorite horror host, Joe Bob Briggs, has in store this time. Will there be exclusive ‘merch’ that Jim will buy and then accidentally put in a Toys for Tots box in the mall?
Join the Fun, Join the Cause, Join the Joe Bob Briggs Christmas event!
Are you ready to dive into the world of Joe Bob’s Creepy Christmas? Do you dare to watch along and help raise money for a good cause? If so, join us at HauntedMTL on Threads (_HauntedMTL_) and maybe Twitter (@HauntedMTL) as we experience the thrill and chills that only Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy can deliver.
Remember, this is not just about indulging in some good old horror fun with ‘Joe Bob’s’ double feature. It’s about giving back and making a difference. So, let’s gear up to have a creepy Christmas with ‘Joe Bob Briggs’, filled with ‘christmas horror films’, ‘christmas demons’, ‘christmas slasher films’, ‘ho-ho-horror’, ‘yuletide horror’ and insightful ‘horror commentary’.Joe Bob’s Creepy Christmas and make this holiday season memorable for all the right reasons! I’m sure Fright Rags will have another stellar set this year, too. They are perfect for the horror fan in your life (even if that fan is you!). I can’t wait to see what they have in store (no pun).
SPECIAL — IF YOU WANT Freeeeeeeee (as supplies last) Fright Rags Joe Bob Briggs merch for this year, just tweet/thread at us during the event and Jim will pick the one that makes him chuckle the most (you will need to give us your address and size in DMs)
No subscription to watch Joe Bob Briggs’s Creepy Christmas yet? No problem! Check the link below:
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. For a 7-day, risk-free trial, visit Joe Bob at www.shudder.com.
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