Documentaries About Directors

Who doesn't love a good documentary? Their purpose is to be both informative and engaging. Over the past few years I've found myself discovering and watching various documentaries about movie directors. They're more or less seen as the driving creative force of a movie and because of that, one is left to wonder how they got inspired to do what they do and what their creative mindset is like.

One of the more interesting ones (to say the least) that I just watched was David Lynch: The Art Life. It features Lynch himself going into great detail about his early life and how he became the artist he is. Really good stuff and recommended for those who like Lynch and want a taste of the bizarre! De Palma, which features Brian De Palma as the main subject is another good one. He goes into great detail about a lot of his work and experiences. I also enjoyed the recent Spielberg documentary that HBO put out along with Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures.

What are some of your favorites?

#Documentary #Filmmaking

My Horror Watchlist

So I decided to put together a list of horror movies that I would like to see over the next few weeks. A lot of these have interested me for sometime now, but for one reason or another - I haven't got around to them.

Anyone seen any of these? What are your thoughts?


Aswang 1994
Bone Sickness 2004
Brain Dead 1990
Brain Dead 2007
Dead Creatures 2001
Dead Season 2012
Deafula 1975
Demons 5: Devil's Veil 1990
Devil Fetus 1983
Effects 1980
Expulsion of the Devil 1973
Fear No Evil 1969
Fermat's Room 2007
Frankenstein: The True Story 1973
Haunted by Her Past 1987
Hell's Ground 2007
Homebodies 1974
I Am a Ghost 2012
Intensity 1997
Jack Be Nimble 1993
Medium 1985
Mulberry St 2006
Patrick still lives 1980
Pedro Páramo 1967
Resurrection 1999
Retribution 1987
Ringu 1995
Salem Witch Trials 2002
Shadow of Illusion
Shallow Grave 1987
So Sad About Gloria 1975
Stones of Death 1988
The Boxer's Omen 1983
The Death Train 1978
The Hanging Woman 1973
The Haunting of M. 1979
The Last Wave 1977
The Ogre 1988
The People Who Own the Dark 1976
The Shout 1978
The Strange Vengeance of Rosalie 1972
To Sleep with a Vampire 1993
The Visitor 1979
Turkey Shoot 1982
What the Peeper Saw 1972
Voices 1973

Night, Dawn or Day?

I know, I know. If you've been on the internet for more than a year, this question is like for Horror Nerds 101 (nerd? Speak for yourself, bub!) I myself have been using the internet for, Christ, about 20 years now, so I've answered this question - on multiple message boards and chatrooms - tirelessly, and with fluctuating answers at that.

I was a Dawn of the Dead junkie for a good while there (isn't everyone at some point?) Then one day (he was shooting up some food, and up from the ground...ahem, sorry) I succumbed to the brilliance of Day. It was that slow build of impending doom that you feel throughout the events of the film while our characters systematically fall apart that had me calling Day my number one for probably about 15 years or so.

But recently, I've come back around to Dawn (of course, it isn't easy to make a clear decision, since they're all brilliant). Dawn of the Dead has that awesome '70s look and feel; it essentially acts as a time capsule to a decade I never got to experience first hand. Of course, that in itself wouldn't be enough for me to call it a favorite, but luckily, it's pretty much universally agreed upon that it's a masterpiece not just in the world of horror, but filmmaking in general.

Night is the classic that started it all, but at no point in time was it ever my favorite.

So, where do you stand?

Survey: Introduce Yourself

Since we have so many new users of late, why not get to know some of them?

I'll start us off. My real name is David, and I run this dump. You may know me as Fuad_Ramses_IV on imdb, where I've been a regular for 10 years. (Fuck!)

I'm 26, male, I live in Texas, I work at the dollar theater, and I barely make enough to get by. I fancy myself a poor white trash idiot, and I'm really fucking lazy. My cat is my best friend, and I love marijuana, boobs, and the internet.


YOUR TURN!

- Are you from IMDB?
- Interests?
- Do you drink, smoke, or do drugs?
- What do you do for a living?
- Are you happy with it, or would you rather do something else?
- Sexual orientation?
- Are you in a relationship?

Anything you'd like to tell us about yourself, or your horror addiction?

Who best reanimates the dead? Victor Frankenstein or Herbert West?

Who do you prefer?

The slow and meticulous Frankenstein collecting body parts over time or Herbert West directly injecting his serum into any corpse he can find?

Who do you find to be more manic, grotesque or interesting?

Trash Challenge 2 Results



I did it! I goddamn did it! Wiped the fucking floor with you all! Check it out! I won! The second annual Trash Challenge goes to me. ME! The eternally correct IMDb legend that was Tromafreak and your current Messiah has finally done it. Oh, God, it feels SO good to win a challenge, again!

Seriously, though. I'm still super hard from this victory, but you all did a swell job, this year. Didn't look like it was going to be a very successful one, but 10 ain't bad. So, what's everyone's favorite and least favorite viewings? Did anyone get to use the garbage point? I didn't, but probably should have for the cannibal movie called Invaders Of The Lost Gold, which was weirdly only good for a racism point. I really enjoyed delving into the biker and women in prison movies. The Black 6 was pretty sweet, Escape From Hell and Sweet Sugar are some kick ass WIP. Gator Bait was a pleasant Hixploitation surprise. I watched a movie called Frozen (2010) which isn't exactly trash but worth a couple points. Good stuff! Fuck, I don't know. Can't decide on a favorite, this year. Thanks for joining in the fun, everyone!


Messiah_Of_Doom - 60 Films & 264 Points

Zombie_CPA - 33 Films & 173 Points

Foz - 27 Films & 99 Points

BarkingBaphomet - 34 Films & 97 Points

NoseOfNicko - 18 Films & 77 Points

Onyx_Hades - 18 Films & 70 Points

Box_A_Hair - 23 Films & 67 Points

Johan_WoW - 21 Films & 67 Points

Ballz - 12 Films & 40 Points

Iceflamez - 4 Films & 21 Points

The Meg

Asian girls (Bing Bing Li) Giant Sharks and Jason Statham one liners. All I Want. Definitely Sold.

They even found a way to get tentacles in there for Bing Bing.

I hope the doggie is ok.

I also noticed Captain Mudd is in there.

Last House on Dead End Street

Such a special movie for me. The kind that you don't like to watch often because you just don't need to. It's engrained in my mind, right down to certain sound effects and when they're about to happen. Maybe I don't watch it often anymore 'cuz I'm afraid I'll outgrow it.

Not the case last night, thankfully. As if I didn't already hold the film in high esteem, this latest viewing made me realize what an arthouse masterpiece it is, and that, perhaps, if Roger Watkins were more mentally stable, he could have enjoyed a reasonably successful film career. To think this sucker is as dirt cheap as it is and turned out the way it did shows Watkins does contain some degree of talent.

On the other hand though, his mental state and being high on drugs could also have lended the film its perhaps accidental(?), surrealistic and otherworldly quality. Yeah, undoubtedly that has a hand in it, but I also can't help but feel their is an artistic vision behind all this. A method to his madness. The way the film weaves back and forth between arty porno drama and envelope-pushing horror does seem to be a conscious choice. When the forced participants of Terry's snuff films realize all too late the magnitude of what is happening, it truly feels as if the mouth of Hell has opened. This isnt just some run-of-the-mill exploitation film with producer-influenced violence and gore tacked all over the place . Even I can admit it's a tad talky until things really get going, but it aint boring.

To say nothing of the fact that, for 1972 (when the film was made) what else out there was this fucked up and transgressive? (John Waters?) If the movie were released in the early 70s, when it should have, what would audiences have thought? Would the film be looked at differently, as a truly pioneering extreme horror film with all the meticulousness of an almost Kubrick-ian like director behind the lens -- as opposed to the lost artificact of late '70s 42nd street flash-in-the-pan grindhouse goodness whose urban legend mystique could only underwhelm all too eager horror fanatics -- that it is typically seen as?

Ok, yeah, I'm gushing because I'm a total LHODES fanboy. Most of you will disagree with what I see in it, and that's fine. I bought this on VHS (not a bootleg, because I'm stuck up like that) in what may have been '99 or 2000. It was for sure before Roger Watkins came out of hiding. The allure and mystique from LHODES is long-gone now, but the remaining film is as powerful, dark, disturbing, weird and balls to the wall awesome as ever.

Your Favorite Vampire Movie(s)

Just as the title suggests, list some of your favorite vampire movies.

For me, it seems that like the zombie sub-genre - the vampire sub-genre has become exhausted. I feel vampire movies are dime a dozen and offer little in the way of originality and imagination so it is always refreshing to me to see a vampire flick that attempts to bring new ideas into the exhausted sub-genre.

I will list my top 10 favorite vampire movies. My list is quite irregular and you could say unusual. In order:

The Addiction (1995): Extremely orginal take on the vampire tale about a philosophy grad student that turns into a vampire after getting bitten. There is a lot of reflective musings as she comes to terms with her new affliction. It is riddled with metaphors about addiction, redemption etc. A highly moody piece of filmmaking that is so disturbing and realistic, that it almost feels like a documentary at times. My favorite vampire flick. 9

They Have Changed Their Face (1971): It is an obvious allegory to capitalism, with the most affluent portrayed as "vampires" who appear to feed off consumerism, hence why They Have Changed Their Face. It is a biting and satirical moody piece, but above all, it is really good and at just 285 votes-it is shockingly unknown to the masses. 9

Martin (1978): I truly believe that Martin is one of horror's greatest character studies! It is not your traditional vampire flick in the sense that this one is about vampirism as a disease. There is a lot of social commentary here and I just adore it. 9

Blood & Donuts (1995): I will be the first to admit that I am not a fan of these horror comedy but Blood & Donuts is an exception to the rule. One of the most sympathetic vampires you will ever see. It is unusual to that of other vampire flicks in that it is a canvas for loneliness, friendship, and belonging. It is sad, funny and philosophical in equal measure. The cinematography is top-notch and the music score is fantastic. 9

Nadja (1994): The modern vampire subgenre in my opinion works best in real harsh urban environments, with limited action scenes, that relies more on existentialism and companionship. Nadja was one of a raft of such vampire flicks of the 90s. Cinematographed in glorious black-and-white and offers a dreamy atmosphere mkes this a must-see. 8

Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary (1975): This is another vampire flick that deals with vampirism as a disease. I don't think I have ever seen such a horror film where the protagonist was so vulnerable, so lonely. There are beautiful scenes of beaches, villas and museums that never fails to lure the viewers interest. Excellent character study where the protagonist has a disease to drink blood. 8

Dance of the Damned (1989): Ultra-obscure vampire flick that is a cut about other vampire flicks. It is about a stripper who contemplates suicide until she meets a vampire. It is essentialy a dialogue-driven horror drama that is touching, thoughtful & reflective. 8

Habit (1995): Yet another modern urban vampire tale. I like to consider Habit a part of an unofficial trilogy with The Addiction and Nadja. It is highly metaphorical and existential and oh so realistic which makes it even the more painful. It is a nicely made little film. 8

The Night of the Devils (1972): An excellent obscure involving a family that are afflicted by a centuries old curse by a vampire. The gorgeous cinematography is helped by the unsettling atmosphere. It is also a refreshing take on the sub-genre. 8

Thirst (1979): A brilliant take on the vampire sub-genre about a cult of self-proclaimed supermen who achieve this state of superiority by drinking blood from people who they keep on a farm. I like how the combined modern technology and vampirism with an eerie, surreal direction. 8


What vampire movies do you consider your favorites?

Moving

I'm in the process of moving again. This is at least the 15th place I've lived, in the span of my near 30 year life. Safe to say, I move just about every other year. Holy hell, I just can't settle, can I? 😲

Moving is a crappy process, but I've gone through it so many times, and re-evaluated my life and possessions just as many times, and it makes you wonder what's really important. What do you take, and what do you leave behind? Sentimental crap? Necessities? Are the sentimental things just as important as the other bullshit?

I think about all the niknaks I've taken with me all the years, but what exactly is it? What's really needed to be you at a new place? Somewhere else, where the goal is to preserve your entity.

I've had clothes I've been lugging around for 10 years at least. Some Iron Maiden shirts, band T's, etc. Since I suck at doing laundry, I kinda wore some of them the fuck out, but whatev. I also have a few boxes of junk. I need to get rid of some of it still, but tis the dilemma of being human. You hold onto some shit, even though you don't have a reason for it.

It's a bunch of what-ifs, as if I'd possibly need it later, but I don't. I'll never need that fucking blond wig, or those firecrackers that probably don't even work, or those 90s spiderman cards, but fuck it. I'll keep my shit, because it's mine, and I need it.

Of course, I could never part with my dvds. At one point in my life, it was a quest to collect all the coolest movies I could think of. That became my reason to live. I would buy all sorts of dvds of movies I liked, but after a while, it becomes a little more complicated. You find yourself buying shit you don't even like so much, because you fall into the habit of buying dvds and collecting shit. I collected a lot of dvds, and while some of them are fucking dumb movies that I might never watch again... in an ideal world, I just might want to watch them, or at least I thought so at one point.

In the end though, I still don't think a dvd of Paul Blart will do me any favors. There are still only a few horror classics worth owning, but I'll keep my dvds, and do you know why? Because I'm a lazy fuck, and I stare at screens all day. Besides, sometimes, the internet goes out, so I have to resort to stuff I know and trust. Hence, the dvd collection stays.

Other than clothes and junk, I tend not to have much furniture, so I just pick myself up and go. This move wont be too bad though. It's really close, and I can still walk to work. Preferably bike there now, but basically, not much changes. Same me, different home.



Anyone else move a lot? Or have you never moved at all?
Go ahead and rant about it.