31 Days of Horror (Films) - Commitment

So I decided somewhat last minute that I would attempt to watch a horror movie a day for the entirety of the month of October.

Thusly, I present to you "31 Days of Horror (Films)."

Last year I dove into “Noirvember,” where I watched a noir film for every day of November.

Yet, in all my years, I’ve never attempted the “31 Horror Films In October” challenge (i.e. watching a horror film a day leading up to Halloween).

Figured this year is as good as any to give it a go.

Lottsa offerings on the various streaming sites, so there is no shortage of (hopefully) terrifying fare.

We shall see.

Daydream Believer - Moonage Daydream film review

 Wow.

Just saw this on the IMAX screen in Sparks, NV.

My ears are still ringing.

Less a documentary than it is a mind-melting melee of sound and vision; it mixes archival footage, animation, and voiceovers into a blazing assault on the senses.

While more or less unfolding in a linear narrative, it is by no means comprehensive, starting at Bowie’s Ziggy period and then zig-zagging loosely through some of his other personas and career milestones.

For the most part it is largely intense and engaging, yet it does tend to drag in spots. However, the slow moments are easily overshadowed by numerous chill inducing bouts of emotional bliss.

Highly recommended.

The Best Laid Schemes...See How They Run film review

Evoking Hitchcock by way of DePalma, Woody Allen by way of Wes Anderson, and embracing Agatha Christie with both reverence and tongue-in-cheek, this is a deliciously delightful romp that is a film lover's wet dream. 

It's a slick and snarky whodunnit brimming with a wonderful ensemble cast, punchy dialogue, a fantastic score, and lots of cinematic chicanery.

Above all else, it's just a fun film.

RIYL:  Knives Out; Bullet Train

At The Gates: Barbarian film review

 As with both X and Bodies Bodies Bodies, this is a horror movie that is fast, furious, and fun, though not terribly original.

Astute horror fans will quickly discover that writer/director Zach Cregger has judiciously borrowed ideas from a number of other films, most notably People Under The Stairs, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre by way of House of 1000 Corpses, and Don’t Breathe (and perhaps just a smidge of The Collector), just to name a few of the obvious influences.

While Barbarian certainly looks and feels like a compendium of other films, it’s smart enough to keep the story moving at a breakneck pace. On top of that it saturates the visuals with throbbing and disconcerting sonic ambiance and packs in just enough jump scares and WTF moments to keep you enthralled for its hour-and-43-minute duration. 

Sure, the #MeToo and Blue Lives Matter commentary is a bit heavy handed and the reliance on so many familiar tropes without really tweaking them is a bit frustrating, but as a calling card for Cregger’s continued career as a genre director it’s not too shabby (it’s worth noting that prior to this film the bulk of Cregger’s work has been in comedy).