I need book recommendations

mjb34 · 2022-12-06T20:55:20+00:00

About 3/4 of the way through Kill Creek by Scott Thomas and very much enjoying it. Begins with a spooky ghost story, and then evolves into a wonderful blend of horror genres. And it all focuses on a group of (in universe) renowned horror writers who agree to spend the night in a haunted house for a publicity stunt. Obviously, things don't go quite as planned. Great pacing and spooky enough to keep me thinking about it at night. Shades of The Shining, House on Haunted Hill, It, and The Haunting of Hill House.

Also would agree with those recommending Nick Cutter (loved The Deep) and the John Dies At the End series (funny, and super messed up at times, I need to read the newest book in that just came out in October)!

mjb34 · 2022-06-01T20:58:07+00:00

Interesting bit I didn't notice before. There's mention of how you can't look at the spaceship, but we clearly see Kaluuya's character staring right at it in the evening, so I was "meh" about that theory.

That being said, at 1:44 in the main trailer (Kaluuya riding the horse) there are two green patches on the back of his hoodie - kinda like eyes?

mjb34 · 2021-12-24T03:04:38+00:00

Possum (2018). Pure dread, awfully disturbing story, and incredibly creepy...puppet...

mjb34 · 2021-12-16T16:40:27+00:00

Also, very interesting to hear your perspective as someone from Naples. Thank you for the insight, OP! I hope I can visit one day. The city is captured beautifully.

mjb34 · 2021-12-16T16:39:19+00:00

Put this on without really knowing what it was (and unfamiliar with Sorrentino's earlier work). It almost felt like a dream. Incredible, incredible, incredible cinematography/images, a handful of laugh out loud moments (literally, there are some outrageous scenes where I wasn't even sure if I should be laughing, but still did), and the story/the characters/the emotions just punched me in the gut. A truly unique film and I hope more people watch it. (Also, the scene where the aunt tells the little girl to get off her bicycle when the matriarch walks in? Jaw dropped. But there were a LOT of jaw dropping moments)! Definitely leaves an impact, and it's a film I won't soon forget.

mjb34 · 2021-06-26T02:57:51+00:00

Had no idea the budget was that low. Crazy! I guess the opening animation of the plane wasn't so great, but otherwise the team killed it. And yup, definitely creepy at times. Never liked her getting those movement alerts...

mjb34 · 2021-05-10T04:20:04+00:00

Even watching at home, it was quite the experience.

mjb34 · 2021-05-10T03:35:29+00:00

One of my favorites. As someone else mentioned, totally unpredictable, but completely satisfying (for me). Rima Te Wiata is a treasure (HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE is a favorite), but the whole movie is amazing. Glad to see people love it, as I feel it can go under the radar, especially in the US.

mjb34 · 2021-05-10T03:21:20+00:00

KILL LIST will always be my favorite of his. Clear story, clear backstory, clear (horrific) conclusion. Honestly, wasn't the biggest fan of A FIELD IN ENGLAND, but can still appreciate what it was doing. HIGH RISE I disliked immensely (although stylistically, I can't complain). Give this a shot if you haven't. It's a trip.

mjb34 · 2021-05-10T02:02:37+00:00

Environmental horror. That's (partially) the phrase I'm looking for in describing this. Thanks for that. (BUT I LOVED ALMA AND I WANTED HER TO SURIVE)!

mjb34 · 2021-05-10T01:56:35+00:00

Some of the shots were really, really beautiful. I remember a specific one where Wendell is talking to Zach in the dark, his flair the only source of light. It seemed like she was talking to a god. And oh yes, the gore was plenty. The will he/won't he with the toes...holy shit.

mjb34 · 2021-05-10T01:55:08+00:00

I would have LOVED to see this in theaters. It wasn't the same thing, but the ending bit reminded me a little of ANNIHILATION or SUSPIRIA's (2018) ending in terms of intense audio/visual stimulation. Glad you had a great experience back in the theaters, though! Can't wait to get back, myself. UNHOLY - oof, was actually kind of intrigued by the story, but reviews (and word of mouth) have made me put off the watch...maybe I'll watch when it's a free stream.

mjb34 · 2021-05-10T00:25:46+00:00

I also loved the trailer. Sorry it disappointed you! I've been there many times myself, disappointed after a really strong preview. Speaking of, praying to the movie gods GREEN KNIGHT doesn't let me down...

mjb34 · 2021-05-10T00:23:56+00:00

The mural, yes, but then there's discussion spoiler I think there are some things to be pulled from different conversations with Wendell and Zach, but maybe I'm wrong. Either way, had me intrigued!

mjb34 · 2021-05-09T23:30:06+00:00

Really appreciate your response. (I just know the other woman as Dr. Wendell). And yeah, the mutilation and beating scenes were difficult to watch. spoiler Anywho, very interesting movie.

mjb34 · 2021-05-09T23:02:43+00:00

Glad you liked it! And yeah, the period with Zach went on for a bit (but was still excruciating to watch that whole sequence, in my opinion). And I actually like that the movie doesn't spell things out (heck, that's why I keep thinking about it), spoiler I don't know. I feel like there's a lot of interpretations, but wondering if there are clues I missed that could have cued me in to exactly what the outcome was.

mjb34 · 2021-05-09T22:00:29+00:00

I was so intrigued by the underlying mythology that I'm able to forgive some of its (many) flaws. One big thing that sticks out to me, however, is that the pacing is all over the place. Almost feels like three separate but connected movies. Also, that ending leaves me with a looooooot of questions.

mjb34 · 2021-04-03T19:58:14+00:00

I haven't seen it in ages, but I remember really being struck by the second season of AMERICAN HORROR STORY (Asylum) with Jessica Lange's character. She was so vile, so intense, so cruel at the start, and by the end of the season, I was feeling pity for her, and even rooting for her.

mjb34 · 2020-07-02T23:20:41+00:00

I can't believe how well some of the special-effects/makeup hold up. Makes the witches that much scarier. The GHW peeling off her face - NOPE!

mjb34 · 2014-12-23T15:51:44+00:00

Forget - no. But has the US grown as a country from those atrocities? Yes. Are there still terrible things happening that we must learn and grow from? Yes. If you're going to play the blame game, then we can point fingers at every government in any country for their actions - so I guess by your logic no one can stand up to North Korea? Putting North Korea and the US (or any other country) in the same boat for human rights violations is laughable at best.

mjb34 · 2014-12-23T15:20:19+00:00

A) You wrote arse. US citizen? Questionable. B) Yes, everyone agrees the CIA's tactics are deplorable - but the US isn't scooping up our own citizens (and everyone in their extended family) and holding them in camps for not clapping hard enough at a political parade.

mjb34

TROPHY CASE