Freakshow Films: Home For The Holidays.

I haven't been posting reviews for the movies I watch as often as I should, and since we're nearing another wonderful October, it's time to get our caramel corn out and enjoy the ensuing flood of horror movies on Netflix and the like!

The first of the season I got my grubby hands on is:

Holidays (2016)

I started watching it before reading the complete synopsis, seduced by the movie poster, and discovered it's a series of short films according to each holiday-- including mother's day, father's day and New Years-- an anthology.

Oddly enough Thanksgiving was not included in the illustrious bunch of celebratory days... I think they missed a good opportunity there.

I also think they shot for the wrong audience when writing Halloween; it was terrible, and not the good kind of terrible...
I don't know what they were heading at exactly, but it came off cheap and utterly predictable. Bad writing, bad acting, bad setting-- just all around disappointing. Very sad to say it was my least favorite segment.

It has a very retro slasher feel throughout; I could see this becoming a cult classic, despite and because of its obvious short comings.

I would give it 4 and a half out of 10 spooky bats. The best parts are in my opinion the ones I least expected to be good. I wouldn't rush to see it, but should it come up on your queue I'd say give it a watch-- it's still worth its weight in afternoon entertainment.

What is on your queue this spooky season?

Freakshow Films: A Fantastic Fear of Everything.

Growing up I've always heard that there will come a time when the greatest enemy I would face is myself. It's hard to put that into the perspective of a person who typically hasn't lived long enough to understand the depth of that warning.

So, how does one really prepare for such an intangible battle? For starters, popping some popcorn might help.

Tonight's feature I bequeath a tale of a protagonist battling his own demons in what I believe to be a cinematic work of art-- a tale told through the surreal scope of the cerebrum.

Simon Pegg in A Fantastic Fear of Everything.

Despite being in my queue since it's arrival on Netflix, there was never a better time then now when I chose to finally watch this film.

To quote the synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes:

Jack (Simon Pegg) is a children's author turned crime novelist whose detailed research into the lives of Victorian serial killers has turned him into a paranoid wreck, persecuted by an irrational fear of being murdered. When Jack is thrown a life-line by his long-suffering agent, and a mysterious Hollywood executive takes a sudden and inexplicable interest in Jack's script, what should be his 'big break' rapidly turns into his 'big breakdown' as Jack is forced to confront his worst fears; among them love, laundry and serial killers.

Source

Sure it has received a slew of mixed reviews, but yours truly does recommend it fully-- especially if you're in a sort of existential bind and in the mood for a redeeming comic story that will poke fun at your own black cloud... or in this case, your unpeeled banana.

Freakshow Films: Disgruntled Youth

It's been a looong time since I added anything more to Freakshow films.
Which is funny, because I indulge more in movies than listen to music while I craft. I listen to music more when I travel around... and I haven't been doing much of that since moving to Holbrook.

But anyway.
Today's Freakshow film theme is disgruntled youth... and I'm not speaking about bratty selfish youth, such as those seen in the likes of the movie 'Brave' (yes, I absolutely hated it).

The stages of both these movie has a completely retro-esque feel but are set in modern times:

Never Let Me Go

Based off a novel (which I have never read), this film appeared, at first glance, to be nothing more than one of the typical films Keira Knightley has acted in before. As you continue to watch the film, an intricate plot begins unraveling with truly disturbing realizations.

What makes this movie truly good is the sophisticated and well filmed take on an otherwise well known story of a dystopian society. I highly recommend it, but be warned, it does not end happily.

Source: Sound on Sight

Next up is a short one; indeed, I do love short films! They had a big hand in forming who I am today-- much like music has for others. This is by a director who made a lasting impression on me; Jamie Travis. I was first introduced to his work (once upon a time) through his short film 'Why The Anderson Children Didn't Come to Dinner'.

It was only after I decided to look up that film did I realize he did more work... and by the gods he's progressed really well with his new work, but kept his signature style.

Without further ado, I give you:

The Armoire

I won't spoil the story, because you can see for yourself by sparing a few moments to watch.

If his style tickled your fancy, I suggest you watch the rest of his films on his Vimeo channel-- you won't be disappointed... but maybe a little confused, heheh.

I hope you enjoyed today's feature films

...and that you didn't really need too many tissues.

Freakshow Films: Deliciously Short

It takes a distinguished person to create a movie, but it takes a truly unique individual to make a story come to life. Sometimes, the movie doesn't even have to be hours long to become something special...

The movies I am about to mention are what I consider works of art; pieces that need no verbal explanation of how great they are. Instead I will simply ask that you sit and watch for a few moments...

The Scree by Paul McDermott

Zero by Christopher Kezelos

The Legend of the Scarecrow

If you liked the work of Paul McDermott and Christopher Kezelos, I urge you to watch The Girl Who Swallowed Bees and The Maker.

Please feel free to comment with your opinion, and perhaps some suggestions for other films!

Freakshow Films: Cannabalistic & Beautiful.

I love movies. I especially love movies that are twisted, bizarre... and foreign. Every so often I find a gem that I must simply buy and put in the prized section of my movie library-- and when I do, I always want to share it!

Today on my first movie post, I bequeath my two latest treasures:

First up is my favorite of the two, starring one of my favorite French actors Dominique Pinon-- Delicatessen.

Written & directed by Marc Caro (known for The City of Lost Children) and Jean-Pierre Jeunet (known for Amelie)... movies which are also part of my illustrious cinematic gem collection.

It's a story about a ex-circus performer looking for work in a post-apocalyptic world where food is scarce and people have turned to cannibalism. He finds work as a maintenance man at a complex where the owner of the building, a heartless tyrant, is also the owner and butcher at the meat shop "Delicatessen".

The owner is renowned in the complex for acquiring the "meat" for the shop from his drifter employees, and unfairly charges the residents grain and valuables for it. A love story between the main character and the owner's daughter unfolds amidst funny and bizarre scenarios among the residents.

As to be expected of these two awesome directors, it was beautifully shot. It has no pointless gore fillers, but it's chock full of black comedy.

Next on the chopping block: Dumplings starring Pauline Lau and Bai Ling, directed by Fruit Chan and written by Lillian Lee.

This equally bizarre movie follows the story of a washed up actress who is losing her husband to a younger woman, and in this story will do literally anything to fight the consequences of time to win him back. And so her desperate search to turn back the clock leads her to Aunt Mei, a 50-something year old woman who appears to be in her 30's-- which she claims is the result of the special "ingredient" in her homemade dumplings.

I find that this movie lacked a bit in acting, but it totally made up for it by the way it was shot. And unlike Delicatessen, there are parts (many in fact) that aren't for the soft of heart; Aunt Mei procures her "ingredient" in the pediatric ward of a hospital, and there are no parts intentionally shot to instill laughter (but if you're truly twisted, then you'll find a way, anyway).

Dumplings (the Trailer)

(I couldn't find a good one Youtube)

Happy movie night!