GOODNIGHT, FUCKERS #653: MOVIE NIGHT PART 2

 You may remember a while ago I started thinking about maybe setting aside one night a week to watch a movie instead of TV shows. I didn't always succeed at this, but I've been trying. So here's a look at the movies I've watched so far. They're all horror, and they're all on Shudder. And they're all good.

Lake Mungo was a bit of a surprise. It was not what I was expecting at all, and I like it when that happens. I figured a bunch of Australians made a monster movie. That's what the title suggests to me. But no, it has more to do with a mystery surrounding the disappearance of a young girl and the haunting (?) that comes after. It's got some nice twists and turns, and I wound up liking it a lot. It's like Paranormal Activity if that movie was actually good.

I enjoyed Christmas Bloody Christmas a lot more than I expected. I figured it would be a stupid holiday themed monster movie, and it is kinda that, but it's better. The dialogue is snappy as all hell, kind of like Kevin Smith by way of Quentin Tarantino. The characters are very interesting and likeable. And the robot Santa is pretty brutal. It loses traction near the end, but it's a hell of a ride.

Sorry About the Demon is exactly what I expected. It's a good horror comedy about a guy who gets dumped by his girlfriend and lucks into renting a house super cheap . . . except there is a demon living there. And a couple of ghosts. It gave me Dead Alive vibes. Not the gore. I mean, the protagonist. He's kind of a loser, but he's really funny and he's really in love with this woman and is trying to win her back. It's just a sweet love story with a twisted mentality. The guy kind of reminds me of a Will Forte character.

So yeah. I intend to keep returning to the well that is Shudder (that there is a well-dweller in there needs no special mention). These are entertaining flicks, and I recommend them.

GOODNIGHT, FUCKERS #431: HOUSE 2: THE SECOND STORY

 

So the other day I had some time to kill, and Ty Franck mentioned a movie on Ty and That Guy that sounded right up my alley. It was something akin to a slasher movie where no one dies, but I couldn't remember the name of it for the life of me. All I knew was that it was on Shudder. Well, I have Shudder. Let's see if I can find it.

Nope. No luck. But while flipping through movies I saw an old favorite. That's right. House 2: The Second Story. (The first House movie was fucking awesome. The fourth? Ehhhhhh, let's forget about that one. For many years I thought they just skipped three, but when I was in Ireland back in 2000, I found it in a video store over there. I believe I rented it and thought it blew, but that might be the Mandela Effect. I've discovered this phenomenon has been working pretty heavily on me as of late.)

So why not watch this one again? It's been probably 15 years. Let's see if it holds up.

Long story short: It does. And I forgot what a massive influence it was on me from when I saw it as a child. It's a weird western tale, and I love those. Love writing 'em, too. It's batshit crazy, and I'm a huge fan of that kind of thing. It's got Royal Dano in there and holy shit, is that Bill Maher?! Yes it is. Once again playing an asshole. (Probably not acting, either.)

And that shit with Cliff from Cheers? Goddam, I forgot how much ridiculous pulp action fun that was! Why did they not make any more movies about the electrician adventurer? I would have watched more than a dozen movies about his adventures alone.

It felt good to go through this one again. If you've never seen it, and you have Shudder, what are you doing reading this? Go watch it. And if you've seen it, go ahead. Watch it again. Doctor's orders.

Bill Motherfucking Towner!