Whorror Favorite: Alien and Aliens

Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986)
Wow, what more do I have to say? Well, ok... These 2 movies came way before their time—space movies remained a subgenre, not mainstream fare, before the first movie. In fact, Alien only got the greenlight because of the success of Star Wars. Sophistcated and beautiful, with the help of H. R. Giger and old school f/x (pre computer) these movies remain examples of timeless horror and exceptional movie making.

If you haven't seen either since the time of their release, you must watch them again.

Just got the Alien Quadriolgy, loving every minute of it. 

Shark Surfing

Whorror Favorite: Apocalypto

Apocalypto (2006)

I took a couple Mayan History classes in college, I was excited to see this one. Now, I know, it’s not really a horror genre movie, but I don’t think anyone who has seen it and it’s 114 body count would argue.  It’s gorgeous and thrilling. So exciting to see this empire recreated, living and breathing. On the DVD the special behind the scenes stuff, while well marinated in Mel Gibson, are fascinating if you enjoyed the history or the production design.

Seven Dumpsters and a Corpse...

A Film by Thomas Haemmerli, 2007

After their mother’s death, two Swiss brothers, upon entering her apartment, found out  she had become a hoarder. They documented the process of excavating a lifetime of stuff after a family member dies:

"Amidst the chaos of their dead mother’s apartment, two brothers irreverently piece together their family history. It’s a strange but unique saga involving baronesses and counts; stolen lovers and Nazi officers; lawsuits and counter lawsuits and lots and lots of cats. Compelling and darkly hilarious.”

Full documentary here, Seven Dumpsters and a Corpse

This one is dedicated to El Sloganero and my brother.

Pic of the Day... goes to the movies

Cleavon Little in Blazing Saddles (1974)

10 Common Phallic Symbols in Cinema

Examples of Phallic Symbols in Cinema

"What a Wonderful World": a Tool of Terror!

Just like 'Clockwork Orange' and 'Singing in the Rain', movie directors can turn our favorite songs into tools of terror! The juxtaposition of sweet songs and violence is always an unnerving one, making already horrible images or events that much more tragic. I noticed it today while watching 'Good Morning Vietnam'. Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" is laid out over a montage of war in Vietnam with haunting and almost requiem like effect.  The same song and contrast is also used in Michael Moore's 'Bowling for Columbine' (great movie) over an incredible history of violent American policy.

"What a Wonderful World" Montage: Bowling for Columbine, Michael Moore

"What a Wonderful World" clip: 'Good Morning Vietnam'

Pic of the Day... goes to the movies

The cast of Freaks (1932) with their director, Tod Browning.

I Want One! Polish Movie Poster Art

Polish Movie Posters have some of the most art on the, with reinterpretations of American films too. The Birds is my favorite. Although The Empire Strikes Back is pretty exceptional.

Odd Person of Note: Myra Davis

From Uncle John's Bathroom Reader:

MYRA DAVIS, Janet Leigh’s body double in the film Psycho

Story: Davis was Leigh’s stand-in, she was one of several people who provided the voice of Norman Bates’s mother, and it was her hand that was seen in the famous shower scene in which Leigh’s character is stabbed to death.
Final Irony: On July 3, 1988, Davis was found strangled in her Los Angeles home, murdered by a 31-year-old "caretaker and handyman" … just like the character portrayed by Anthony Perkins in Psycho.

List of other Ironic Deaths here.

Pic of the Day... goes to the movies

Jaws (1975), production photo of unused scene

Problem Solving: Bruce Lee's 'Game of Death'

Part of the mistique of Bruce Lee is often his unfortunate death while the while filming. He had just started filming fight scenes for 'Game of Death'. The studios decided to go ahead anyway and took the 11 minutes they had in the can and built an entire movie about it.

How did they do that?

From the Bathroom Readers' Institute article:

Problem Solving

How do you make a movie using a dead actor? Golden Harvest tackled the problem in a number of different ways:

• Lee’s double was filmed in wide angle shots, from behind, or in the dark whenever possible.

• Reaction shots of the real Bruce Lee, recycled from his earlier films, were spliced into the scenes with Lee’s double.
• In one scene they literally cut out a still photograph of Bruce Lee’s head and pasted it on the screen over the double’s head.
• In scenes where the double does show his face, he wears a large pair of dark sunglasses and sometimes even a fake moustache and beard. In other scenes he wears a motorcycle helmet with the darkened visor pulled down.
• The plot was written to explain the character’s changed appearance: Early in the film a gangster tried to kill Billy Lo by shooting him in the face. Lo survives, but undergoes plastic surgery to repair the damage, and emerges from the hospital literally a new man.

Original Article

Whorror Favorite: Children of Men

LOVE this movie intensely. While not technically a "horror" movie, it's positively terrifying! Beautiful! See it!

The groundbreaking camera work explained. Flawless!

Don't Do It!! Poltergeist Remake?

Opinions? link:

A remake of Poltergeist?  

Cursed! Terribly Unlucky Movie Productions

The Insane True Stories of "Cursed" Movies

More Cursed Things