Welcome back, film buffs and popcorn scarfers. We’re still chuggin’ along on this movie endeavor. We are still behind schedule, probably further behind than we were before, but by god, we shall see this thing through if we have to watch horror films into November! That week of Halloween is going to be like cramming for a final exam.
You may notice that we are dozing off during the movies a little more at this time. This is because we get so sleepy, you see. But we finish these little shits, come hell or high water! Here’s some brief reviews:
7. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Mark’s rating: 7/10
Jeri’s rating: 8/10
Seen Before? Mark: No. Jeri: No.
Both stayed awake? Yes (Watched at 11 AM)
Mark’s review: I’m surprised by how much I liked it. Kind of a typical teeny-bopper slasher movie but it’s executed well. Doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, and is better off for it. The climax is not scary, but all in all, p. good.
Jeri’s review: I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Gives off a strong 90’s vibe (which makes sense.) Pacing was good, acting was better than anticipated. I wish it had ended with the sequel tease and not a final jump scare scene.
8. Midsommar (2019)
Mark’s rating: 10/10
Jeri’s rating: 10/10
Seen Before? Mark:Yes. Jeri: Yes
Both stayed awake? Yes
Mark’s review: Amazing visuals and really compelling setting. I’ve watched it probably six times and I notice new details every time. A movie I find myself thinking about long after it is over.
Jeri’s review: Sound design and music are both great. The “scary parts” don’t take place in darkness, but in places that are well-lit and colorful. Very distinct from other horror movies. I notice completely new things on every watch. The movie does a great job showing Dani’s gradual character development. Would highly recommend.
9. Barbarian (2022)
Mark’s rating: 7/10
Jeri’s rating: 8/10
Seen Before? Mark: No. Jeri: No.
Both stayed awake? Yes
Mark’s review: Has some pretty unsettling visuals. Premise is interesting and it kind of pulls off a good misdirection partway through. Plot meanders somewhat, but it did hold my interest.
Jeri’s review: Interesting shots and camera usage. Some jump scares, but not excessive. This movie has a lot of moments that make you ask “What the fuck!?” End credits music choice was perfect.
10. An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Mark’s rating: 4.5/10
Jeri’s rating: 4/10
Seen Before? Mark: No. Jeri: No.
Both stayed awake? Mark: No! Jeri: No! (Rewatched the part we missed the following morning)
Mark’s review: Disappointing. Not much plot spread over the runtime. Several scenes are just repeating information previously covered. There is also a minutes-long scene of our main character being bored in an apartment. The jokes didn’t ever really land for me. The practical effects are great, but that’s about all it has.
Jeri’s review: The fact that I fell asleep twice was not a good sign. Ended very abruptly. Even for 1981, still not the best. Better than House, though.
11. The Wicker Man (1974)
Mark’s rating: 9/10
Jeri’s rating: 8/10
Seen Before? Mark: No. Jeri: No.
Both stayed awake? Mark: Yes Jeri: No (Watched middle 20 minutes next day)
Mark’s review: Great movie. Weird post-hippie era pagan psychedelia. The story is straightforward but interesting throughout. Plenty of visuals that stick in the mind. The music is wonderful. Christopher Lee is great as a commanding evil wizard even back then. Loved it.
Jeri’s review: Well-paced movie that uses a lot of creative shots. Solid moobie. Nicely organized, clear story. And it’s got Saruman.
12. The Void (2017)
Mark’s rating: 4.5/10
Jeri’s rating: 3/10
Seen Before? Mark: No. Jeri: No.
Both stayed awake? Mark: No. Jeri: Yes. (Re-watched the final 35 minutes the next morning)
Mark’s review: I appreciated the broad strokes of the premise and some individual scenes were neat. Movie is populated by cliche stock characters, and they suffered from corny acting a little too often. I don’t understand what anyone was trying to accomplish (and having cryptic spooky mystery cults does not excuse this!) I didn’t hate it. I think it’d make a better Call of Cthulu one shot than a film.
Jeri’s review: For the first three quarters of the movie, I didn’t know what the plot was (not in a good way.) Acting and script were both lacking. I can see what they were going for, but it was poorly executed.
13. Psycho (1960)
Mark’s rating: 9/10
Jeri’s rating: 9/10
Seen Before? Mark: Yes. Jeri: Yes.
Both stayed awake? No. (Both were dozing off, paused and restarted next morning)
Mark’s review: Deserving of it’s status as a classic. Must have been a total mindfuck for the hat and narrow tie wearing audiences of 1960. Each little vignette that makes up the movie veers the narrative in a different direction. The best and most famous scene comes at about the halfway point, so the rest of the movie can’t quite match it. But that just serves to make the climactic shower scene all the more shocking.
Jeri’s review: Great use of lighting working together with camera angles. The violins in the score really put the audience on edge. The last shot of Norman Bates with a skull quickly superimposed over his face is my favorite shot. Fantastic movie.
Pretty good crop of candy corn for this batch. Up next on the list we’ve got two modern classics in Trick ‘r Treat and Ernest Scared Stupid. I can’t freaking wait!!!
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