MeFi Horror Film Club, #2: Noroi/The Curse June 19, 2014 12:19 PM Subscribe
The Horror Club's first selection, The Cabin in the Woods has gone over well, after only 24 hours becoming the most-commented upon movie thread in FanFare's short history. So, to keep this party rolling, here's next week's selection:
Noroi (The Curse) Bonus: this week's pick is available in its entirety on YouTube.
This 2005 Japanese film by Kôji Shiraishi is a little-seen but highly regarded entry in the found footage genre. Unusually long and complex for a J-horror film, Noroi runs nearly two hours long and features an exceptionally large for the genre cast of well over twenty-five characters.
The plot concerns Masafumi Kobayashi, a paranormal expert who produced a series of books and documentaries on supernatural activity around Japan. The movie then explains that he disappeared in the process of making his most disturbing documentary, The Curse. Kobayashi's house burnt down and his wife Keiko was found dead in the ruins. The aforementioned movie begins to play, shown mostly through the recordings of Kobayashi's cameraman Miyajima.
You can check out the trailer on YouTube.
This 2005 Japanese film by Kôji Shiraishi is a little-seen but highly regarded entry in the found footage genre. Unusually long and complex for a J-horror film, Noroi runs nearly two hours long and features an exceptionally large for the genre cast of well over twenty-five characters.
The plot concerns Masafumi Kobayashi, a paranormal expert who produced a series of books and documentaries on supernatural activity around Japan. The movie then explains that he disappeared in the process of making his most disturbing documentary, The Curse. Kobayashi's house burnt down and his wife Keiko was found dead in the ruins. The aforementioned movie begins to play, shown mostly through the recordings of Kobayashi's cameraman Miyajima.
You can check out the trailer on YouTube.
BTW, kudos to burnmp3s, whose suggestion was so cool as to be self-evidently the winner.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:41 PM on June 19, 2014
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:41 PM on June 19, 2014
This is a great pick for me, speaking purely selfishly. I've seen it before and I know I liked it, but it's been so long that I don't remember any specific details of it so it will be a pleasure to revisit. Add in that I just found that my DVD of it survived two moves since I last watched it, and baby I've got a stew going!
A scary, scary stew.
posted by doctornecessiter at 12:45 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
A scary, scary stew.
posted by doctornecessiter at 12:45 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
Pleased to see that pick #2 is a movie I haven't seen yet and somehow stayed off my radar entirely. This should be fun. Thanks for driving this DirtyOldTown!
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 12:48 PM on June 19, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 12:48 PM on June 19, 2014 [3 favorites]
We'll see if this one is below my fraidycat threshold...
posted by Sheydem-tants at 1:18 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 1:18 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
I haven't seen The Cabin in the Woods, don't know anything about it, but like a good mefi discussion thread.
Clicked on over to that thread, read the first comment...ok, yeah, yeah, whatever.
Scroll down, read the first two lines of the second comment.
!#@&!$
I read no further. I am going to watch the movie this weekend. CONGRATULATIONS, YOU GUYS.
posted by phunniemee at 1:20 PM on June 19, 2014 [4 favorites]
Clicked on over to that thread, read the first comment...ok, yeah, yeah, whatever.
Scroll down, read the first two lines of the second comment.
!#@&!$
I read no further. I am going to watch the movie this weekend. CONGRATULATIONS, YOU GUYS.
posted by phunniemee at 1:20 PM on June 19, 2014 [4 favorites]
I'm in, I love me some J-Horror and probably rented every title I could find with English subtitles in the local Tsutaya back when I lived in Japan. I don't recall seeing this one; but it was probably pretty new and possibly still in theatres at the time.
posted by Hoopo at 1:20 PM on June 19, 2014
posted by Hoopo at 1:20 PM on June 19, 2014
For the next pick (#3) let's more or less formalize the selection process we stumbled into this time: we'll talk about the stuff we'd like to see, both in terms of specific suggestions and general types of stuff, then I'll check in with how I think we're leaning and what I might pick next. And if people like how I'm leaning, that's how we'll go. This isn't as explicitly democratic as how we got our first pick, but it's less tedious and leaves room for dark horses like Noroi, which is nice.
Right now. I'm leaning toward something retro for pick #3. That's the biggest recurring request neither pick so far has really hit on. What form that could take is something that would be good to discuss.
Possible options could be:
--70s/80s slasher. With the whole film on YouTube in HD, Sleepaway Camp still sounds like a probable early choice for one of the early picks)
--Hammer horror from 60's UK. Americans are notoriously lacking in our exposure to Hammer classics. Not sure what the good titles are on Netflix, but The Abomniable Dr. Phibes is on YouTube.
-60s/70s Gaillo from Italy. I notice Baron Blood is widely available!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:27 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
Right now. I'm leaning toward something retro for pick #3. That's the biggest recurring request neither pick so far has really hit on. What form that could take is something that would be good to discuss.
Possible options could be:
--70s/80s slasher. With the whole film on YouTube in HD, Sleepaway Camp still sounds like a probable early choice for one of the early picks)
--Hammer horror from 60's UK. Americans are notoriously lacking in our exposure to Hammer classics. Not sure what the good titles are on Netflix, but The Abomniable Dr. Phibes is on YouTube.
-60s/70s Gaillo from Italy. I notice Baron Blood is widely available!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:27 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
The original Evil Dead? The Changeling, which is shit-pants scary and I'm sorry for bringing it up?
posted by Hoopo at 1:45 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Hoopo at 1:45 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU GUYS.
One of us! One of us! Gooble gobble! Gooble gobble! We accept her! We accept her!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:52 PM on June 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
One of us! One of us! Gooble gobble! Gooble gobble! We accept her! We accept her!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:52 PM on June 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
I vote for really retro, either "Carnival of Souls" or "Freaks." The former is on Youtube, the latter on Vimeo.
posted by jbickers at 1:53 PM on June 19, 2014
posted by jbickers at 1:53 PM on June 19, 2014
I'm leaning toward something retro for pick #3.
The Thing (1982)
posted by hush at 1:55 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
The Thing (1982)
posted by hush at 1:55 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
My two retro cents, either for just after Noroi or some other time in the future:
James Whale's The Old Dark House (YouTube)
Mario Bava's Black Sabbath (Netflix)
Let's Scare Jessica to Death (YouTube)
Alone in the Dark (the 1982 one with Martin Landau, NOT the Uwe Boll one from the 2000s)(YouTube)
Carl Th. Dreyer's Vampyr (YouTube)
William Castle's The House on Haunted Hill (Netflix, Hulu, Youtube)
And I'll second Carnival of Souls and Freaks.
posted by doctornecessiter at 2:36 PM on June 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
James Whale's The Old Dark House (YouTube)
Mario Bava's Black Sabbath (Netflix)
Let's Scare Jessica to Death (YouTube)
Alone in the Dark (the 1982 one with Martin Landau, NOT the Uwe Boll one from the 2000s)(YouTube)
Carl Th. Dreyer's Vampyr (YouTube)
William Castle's The House on Haunted Hill (Netflix, Hulu, Youtube)
And I'll second Carnival of Souls and Freaks.
posted by doctornecessiter at 2:36 PM on June 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
Almost forgot, also seconding Sleepaway Camp, and Night of the Creeps (mentioned in the previous MeTa thread).
posted by doctornecessiter at 3:10 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by doctornecessiter at 3:10 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
For old-school movies, I'll throw in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the 1974 version, natch), currently the subject of this cool post on the front page. I'd also see any of the Hammer films, as I haven't seen as many as I probably should. I'd watch any on drnecessiter's suggestions, too, and I'll rewatch The Thing with the least provocation, though I've already seen it tons of times.
posted by whir at 3:51 PM on June 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by whir at 3:51 PM on June 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
Haven't seen this ine. Looking forward to it.
It's the Japanese version of Cabin the Woods from Cabin in the Woods, isn't it?
posted by maxsparber at 4:38 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
It's the Japanese version of Cabin the Woods from Cabin in the Woods, isn't it?
posted by maxsparber at 4:38 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
> The Thing (1982)
I adore this movie and would love to talk about it, particularly because it has some interesting production history. The Thing is 30 years old, but it's also one of a handful of movies that I revere as a defining moments in modern horror. Are we talking about retro as in Hammer films, or 70s exploitation, or just made before a certain date? Guess it doesn't matter, as they're all fun.
I'm psyched to watch Noroi, which I picked up a long time ago, but never watched.
My vote for the next comedy-horror movie would go to Slither (2006), because it's my favorite comedy-horror film, but also because director James Gunn is at the helm of this summer's Guardians of the Galaxy.
I also want to nominate Splinter (2008) for future viewing. It went overlooked on release and is better than average.
posted by drklahn at 5:21 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
I adore this movie and would love to talk about it, particularly because it has some interesting production history. The Thing is 30 years old, but it's also one of a handful of movies that I revere as a defining moments in modern horror. Are we talking about retro as in Hammer films, or 70s exploitation, or just made before a certain date? Guess it doesn't matter, as they're all fun.
I'm psyched to watch Noroi, which I picked up a long time ago, but never watched.
My vote for the next comedy-horror movie would go to Slither (2006), because it's my favorite comedy-horror film, but also because director James Gunn is at the helm of this summer's Guardians of the Galaxy.
I also want to nominate Splinter (2008) for future viewing. It went overlooked on release and is better than average.
posted by drklahn at 5:21 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
I also vote that we aim retro for #3, I've just been splashing around in this end of the horror-movie pool myself and really enjoying it. Unfortunately availability on some of these older films seems to be awfully limited. Dead of Night (1945), Peeping Tom (1960) (aka the *other* seminal 1960 horror film), and The Innocents (1961) are all well worth watching and discussing but don't seem to be streaming anywhere.
On the other hand Night of the Hunter (1955) looks to be available for streaming rental on Amazon, so... maybe throw that in the hat, if people don't mind spending $4 to see it?
on preview: yesss, the 1982 Thing is such a great movie in so many ways.
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 5:26 PM on June 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
On the other hand Night of the Hunter (1955) looks to be available for streaming rental on Amazon, so... maybe throw that in the hat, if people don't mind spending $4 to see it?
on preview: yesss, the 1982 Thing is such a great movie in so many ways.
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 5:26 PM on June 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
Night of the Hunter is great. I just watched it earlier this week actually, as half of a "Shelley Winters Has Shitty Luck With Men" double-feature along with Lolita.
posted by doctornecessiter at 6:20 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by doctornecessiter at 6:20 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
I will watch anything found footage, and Noroi is one of those movies I've gone looking for and had trouble finding. I'm ecstatic to see it on YT!
Also The Thing has the best creature FX of all time and I will cheerfully fight anybody about that.
posted by Pope Guilty at 6:33 PM on June 19, 2014
Also The Thing has the best creature FX of all time and I will cheerfully fight anybody about that.
posted by Pope Guilty at 6:33 PM on June 19, 2014
Really? There are so few decent horror movies widely available for legit viewing online that we're already resorting to pointing the entire membership base to a pirate YouTube stream? Please reconsider.
posted by Mothlight at 7:12 PM on June 19, 2014
posted by Mothlight at 7:12 PM on June 19, 2014
You know what? Fuck it. I withdraw my objection. If this is really good and unavailable in the U.S. maybe this is the kind of attention it needs to become a bona fide cult classic. Still bugs me a little, but maybe it's for the greater good.
posted by Mothlight at 7:14 PM on June 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Mothlight at 7:14 PM on June 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
C'mon, Mothlight, it's YouTube. It's not like we're posting Putlocker or Mediafire links.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:22 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:22 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
360p, though, ouch...
posted by whir at 7:34 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by whir at 7:34 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm sure there are other viewing possibilities, whir. Not just DVDs, but many others. In fact, I bet if you look there are a torrent of other options. YARRRR! Sorry. Something in my throat there.
And since it's all supposed to look like video camera footage, 360p is far less of a big deal.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:54 PM on June 19, 2014
And since it's all supposed to look like video camera footage, 360p is far less of a big deal.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:54 PM on June 19, 2014
Yay! I haven't seen this one. A few more suggestions for future consideration:
The Parents (British)
Child's Play (80s, classic)
A Tale of Two Sisters (Korean)
Calvaire (Belgian)
Alone (Thailand)
Dead Snow (Norwegian)
Cold Prey (Norwegian)
Pontypool (I know we've discussed already, I just don't want us to forget)
When does next week's thread go up?
posted by triggerfinger at 8:03 PM on June 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
The Parents (British)
Child's Play (80s, classic)
A Tale of Two Sisters (Korean)
Calvaire (Belgian)
Alone (Thailand)
Dead Snow (Norwegian)
Cold Prey (Norwegian)
Pontypool (I know we've discussed already, I just don't want us to forget)
When does next week's thread go up?
posted by triggerfinger at 8:03 PM on June 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
When does next week's thread go up?
Wednesday, I figure. One a week, right?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:20 PM on June 19, 2014
Wednesday, I figure. One a week, right?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:20 PM on June 19, 2014
sounds good!
posted by triggerfinger at 8:33 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by triggerfinger at 8:33 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
I am excited to watch this tonight. As far as the next movie, I can't really have an opinion as I don't like horror movies so don't really know anything about the genre. But YAY for the horror movie club!
posted by Literaryhero at 8:39 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Literaryhero at 8:39 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
Calvaire (Belgian)
Oh god, Calvaire destroyed me.
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 9:21 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
Oh god, Calvaire destroyed me.
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 9:21 PM on June 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
Huh, sounds intriguing.
posted by aroweofshale at 9:46 PM on June 19, 2014
posted by aroweofshale at 9:46 PM on June 19, 2014
Great job, everyone!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:21 AM on June 20, 2014
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:21 AM on June 20, 2014
Oh, good, I love Noroi, and having seen a vast quantity of jHorror and found-footage films, will feel right at home.
Night of the Hunter
A great film, stylistically interesting in that it's very much a film of archtypes and symbols. It's calling back to old silents it always seemed to me, appropriately so since it has a wonderful performance by Lillian Gish.
Let's Scare Jessica to Death
Very retro indeed, horror among the hippies. An overlooked gem.
Both the sort of movies that I think MeFi might do well, and other places less well.
posted by tyllwin at 5:57 AM on June 20, 2014
Night of the Hunter
A great film, stylistically interesting in that it's very much a film of archtypes and symbols. It's calling back to old silents it always seemed to me, appropriately so since it has a wonderful performance by Lillian Gish.
Let's Scare Jessica to Death
Very retro indeed, horror among the hippies. An overlooked gem.
Both the sort of movies that I think MeFi might do well, and other places less well.
posted by tyllwin at 5:57 AM on June 20, 2014
Oh, and 360p? No problem! The closer you come to watching Noroi like an old analog TV show the better. Just like the best way to watch Ringu or V/H/S is on an old tape.
posted by tyllwin at 6:01 AM on June 20, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by tyllwin at 6:01 AM on June 20, 2014 [2 favorites]
If we're going to do retro, a James Whale film would be perfect. Even after directing Frankenstein (1931), The Invisible Man (1933) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935), his unique, smart and odd take on horror is still kind of underappreciated.
So I'll second the gem doctornecessiter recommended above, 1932's The Old Dark House. It's a classic Universal film, was a big hit in England but not in the States, and pretty much defined the "odd collection of people trapped in a house on a stormy night" subgenre. The Allmovie review is pretty balanced:
Predictably, some Whale fans were disappointed in the film's scant thrills and chills. The story, based on the novel Benighted by J.B. Priestley, indeed lacked the shocks and scares of Whale's three other horror standards, eschewing the fantastic for more psychological suspense. Nevertheless, The Old Dark House contained all the other essential ingredients of the director's style, including moody shot compositions, mocking humor, witty dialogue, and sly hints of sexuality. Critics hailed it as one of Whale's gothic masterpieces, and The Old Dark House rightly took its place among the director's best-regarded titles.
It's one of the earliest horror-comedies ever. And is just 71 minutes long. *And* has Boris Karloff, Raymond Massey and Charles Laughton. I mean, you can't get a better example of retro not many folks have already seen.
posted by mediareport at 6:11 AM on June 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
So I'll second the gem doctornecessiter recommended above, 1932's The Old Dark House. It's a classic Universal film, was a big hit in England but not in the States, and pretty much defined the "odd collection of people trapped in a house on a stormy night" subgenre. The Allmovie review is pretty balanced:
Predictably, some Whale fans were disappointed in the film's scant thrills and chills. The story, based on the novel Benighted by J.B. Priestley, indeed lacked the shocks and scares of Whale's three other horror standards, eschewing the fantastic for more psychological suspense. Nevertheless, The Old Dark House contained all the other essential ingredients of the director's style, including moody shot compositions, mocking humor, witty dialogue, and sly hints of sexuality. Critics hailed it as one of Whale's gothic masterpieces, and The Old Dark House rightly took its place among the director's best-regarded titles.
It's one of the earliest horror-comedies ever. And is just 71 minutes long. *And* has Boris Karloff, Raymond Massey and Charles Laughton. I mean, you can't get a better example of retro not many folks have already seen.
posted by mediareport at 6:11 AM on June 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
Americans are notoriously lacking in our exposure to Hammer classics.
Please tell me about this interesting, far-away planet you come from. :)
posted by mediareport at 6:18 AM on June 20, 2014
Please tell me about this interesting, far-away planet you come from. :)
posted by mediareport at 6:18 AM on June 20, 2014
I mean, you can't get a better example of retro not many folks have already seen.
It's really, really good. Just dripping with atmosphere, and great sly humor.
Speaking of Charles Laughton, I was about to question myself as to why I hadn't brought up Island of Lost Souls, but I remembered that I'd checked on its streamability and came up with nothing. Going back to single out some others mentioned in this thread that I'd love to re-watch and discuss but damn it, they don't seem to be streamable: The Innocents, The Changeling, Peeping Tom, and Dead of Night are less-popular ones that I think everyone would get a kick out of.
Also I had checked on Hausu and The (original) Haunting, no streaming as far as I can find.
posted by doctornecessiter at 7:33 AM on June 20, 2014
It's really, really good. Just dripping with atmosphere, and great sly humor.
Speaking of Charles Laughton, I was about to question myself as to why I hadn't brought up Island of Lost Souls, but I remembered that I'd checked on its streamability and came up with nothing. Going back to single out some others mentioned in this thread that I'd love to re-watch and discuss but damn it, they don't seem to be streamable: The Innocents, The Changeling, Peeping Tom, and Dead of Night are less-popular ones that I think everyone would get a kick out of.
Also I had checked on Hausu and The (original) Haunting, no streaming as far as I can find.
posted by doctornecessiter at 7:33 AM on June 20, 2014
Not to keep score, but more than half of the comments ever on a FanFare movie thread are in the CitW thread. The takeaway from that is: YES, MOVIE CLUBS TOTALLY WORK. :)
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:23 AM on June 20, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:23 AM on June 20, 2014 [3 favorites]
Vampyr would be a great choice for dreamlike horror. Onibaba is also worth a look.
Hausu is insane, probably one of the strangest films I've seen.
I'd like to stump for Romero's Martin, if possible.
posted by johnofjack at 8:24 AM on June 20, 2014
Hausu is insane, probably one of the strangest films I've seen.
I'd like to stump for Romero's Martin, if possible.
posted by johnofjack at 8:24 AM on June 20, 2014
I'd like to encourage folks to run future suggestions through this quick, two-step process and share the results as they bring up a film:
1) Check it on canistream.it for standard streaming options
2) Search to see if there is a YouTube option, either through standard YouTube searching or using reddit's full movies on YouTube. If you strike out there, they also have one for Vimeo.
There are several dozen movies suggested in this thread, many of which sound terrific. But suggestions with documented streaming options are going to be taken much, much more seriously. It'd simplify things if, as part of suggesting a film, you could do this small bit of legwork on it to make sure it's really a viable option.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:31 AM on June 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
1) Check it on canistream.it for standard streaming options
2) Search to see if there is a YouTube option, either through standard YouTube searching or using reddit's full movies on YouTube. If you strike out there, they also have one for Vimeo.
There are several dozen movies suggested in this thread, many of which sound terrific. But suggestions with documented streaming options are going to be taken much, much more seriously. It'd simplify things if, as part of suggesting a film, you could do this small bit of legwork on it to make sure it's really a viable option.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:31 AM on June 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
Hausu is insane, probably one of the strangest films I've seen.
I'd love to see a Hausu discussion thread on here. Probably lots of "WTF DID I JUST WATCH"/"WTF DID YOU PUT IN MY DRINK" comments. Minds would be blown.
posted by doctornecessiter at 8:33 AM on June 20, 2014
I'd love to see a Hausu discussion thread on here. Probably lots of "WTF DID I JUST WATCH"/"WTF DID YOU PUT IN MY DRINK" comments. Minds would be blown.
posted by doctornecessiter at 8:33 AM on June 20, 2014
Yeah, I'm in for Hausu for sure, though maybe it would be better to space out the Japanese movies more? And it's too bad about the streaming.
posted by whir at 9:02 AM on June 20, 2014
posted by whir at 9:02 AM on June 20, 2014
Perhaps we could set up a monthly schedule, something like
Week 1: Recent
Week 2: Foreign
Week 3: Retro
Week 4: Other
and repeat, so Week 5 is Recent again, etc.
posted by troika at 12:42 PM on June 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
Week 1: Recent
Week 2: Foreign
Week 3: Retro
Week 4: Other
and repeat, so Week 5 is Recent again, etc.
posted by troika at 12:42 PM on June 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
I enthusiastically support either OLD DARK HOUSE or VAMPYR as choices for classic old horror.
I'd rather we avoid movies like The Thing which is such an acknowledged classic of the genre that I imagine just about anyone interested in horror flicks has watched it multiple times and discussed / read discussions about ad nauseum. Really nothing new to be said there.
posted by the bricabrac man at 1:16 PM on June 20, 2014
I'd rather we avoid movies like The Thing which is such an acknowledged classic of the genre that I imagine just about anyone interested in horror flicks has watched it multiple times and discussed / read discussions about ad nauseum. Really nothing new to be said there.
posted by the bricabrac man at 1:16 PM on June 20, 2014
Oh, and I'm happy with this new pick (Noroi) precisely because it's a subgenre (in this case, "found footage") I'm sick to death of, but its getting the MEFI stamp of approval makes me intrigued enough to check it out.
Also, I'd encourage folks to check their local libraries as possible options for watching a copy of whatever has been chosen by Horror Film Club; that's how I stumbled upon Old Dark House last year (and I'm positive my local library has Cabin In the Woods; although I doubt they have Noroi. Just sayin'.)
posted by the bricabrac man at 1:26 PM on June 20, 2014
Also, I'd encourage folks to check their local libraries as possible options for watching a copy of whatever has been chosen by Horror Film Club; that's how I stumbled upon Old Dark House last year (and I'm positive my local library has Cabin In the Woods; although I doubt they have Noroi. Just sayin'.)
posted by the bricabrac man at 1:26 PM on June 20, 2014
As somebody who will watch basically any horror movie if it's found footage (I got through Crowsnest by rooting for the villains) (they're cannibal hillbillies and they win, I just saved you 90 excruciating minutes), Noroi is easily one of the standouts of the subgenre.
posted by Pope Guilty at 5:19 PM on June 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Pope Guilty at 5:19 PM on June 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
I forget which thread I saw it mentioned in (or if it was a thread related to We Have Such Films To Show You or this), but I'll second The Changeling for some future retro choice. Good old fashioned ghost story, and I'm a sucker for George C. Scott.
Noroi was genuinely disturbing IMO. Best of luck to the not-normally-horror-fans on this one..
posted by cj_ at 10:41 PM on June 20, 2014
Noroi was genuinely disturbing IMO. Best of luck to the not-normally-horror-fans on this one..
posted by cj_ at 10:41 PM on June 20, 2014
I love the Changeling. I got to watch it in the theater for the first time last year. Also love the suggestion of the Wicker Man.
other movies I'd be up for watching again
Netflix:
Let the Right One In
The People Under the Stairs
Wake Wood (I would pair it with the Wicker Man)
Carrie
I don't remember if it has been mentioned yet but I loved the History of Horror series with Mark Gatiss. There are 4 parts up on youtube, Frankenstein Goes to Hollywood, Home Counties Horror, The American Scream, and Horror Europa
posted by oneear at 12:43 AM on June 21, 2014
other movies I'd be up for watching again
Netflix:
Let the Right One In
The People Under the Stairs
Wake Wood (I would pair it with the Wicker Man)
Carrie
I don't remember if it has been mentioned yet but I loved the History of Horror series with Mark Gatiss. There are 4 parts up on youtube, Frankenstein Goes to Hollywood, Home Counties Horror, The American Scream, and Horror Europa
posted by oneear at 12:43 AM on June 21, 2014
I don't think anybody's mentioned Near Dark yet. It's the best vampire movie ever made, plus about ten minutes of a pretty mediocre movie with the same actors included at the end for no extra charge.
posted by Pope Guilty at 2:40 AM on June 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Pope Guilty at 2:40 AM on June 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
Let's hold off on the actual detailed and spoilery Noroi discussion until the Wednesday thread.
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:39 AM on June 21, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:39 AM on June 21, 2014 [3 favorites]
Yeah. Let's hold off. The whole idea of the club posts is to announce, give people time to see the movie, then convene later to discuss. This thread should be a safe place to discuss, focusing strictly on club business (i.e. picking movies) not the films themselves.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:22 AM on June 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:22 AM on June 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
I am interested to see someone start a second movie club. I just watched pick #2 and am so psyched about the coming thread. A lot of people seem similarly excited. I'd bet response could be very good for other clubs, too. Sci-fi club, anyone? Cult cinema?
C'mon, someone, get something started!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 3:37 PM on June 21, 2014
C'mon, someone, get something started!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 3:37 PM on June 21, 2014
...would anyone be interested in a Slobs vs Snobs series?
posted by troika at 10:10 PM on June 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by troika at 10:10 PM on June 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
Ah shit, I didn't know that was how it worked. Sorry, everyone. Also, I didn't know FanFare existed, how long have we had that?
Uh, so, yeah, my (now deleted) rant saved, and I'll post an improved version on Wednesday. Sorry.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 10:59 PM on June 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
Uh, so, yeah, my (now deleted) rant saved, and I'll post an improved version on Wednesday. Sorry.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 10:59 PM on June 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
I would totally start a cult club. HOW DO YOU START A CLUB? DO I JUST SAY I WANT TO AND IT HAPPENS LIKE MAGIC?
posted by maxsparber at 11:41 PM on June 21, 2014
posted by maxsparber at 11:41 PM on June 21, 2014
You'd post a MeTa alerting people, soliciting members, and starting a discussion about what the first pick should be.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:11 AM on June 22, 2014
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:11 AM on June 22, 2014
Uh, so, yeah, my (now deleted) rant saved, and I'll post an improved version on Wednesday. Sorry.
I'm glad you managed to save that, I saw like four big paragraphs, but I hadn't re-watched the movie yet so I didn't read it. Looking forward to Wednesday! Troika and I just watched it, I have many thoughts...
posted by doctornecessiter at 8:39 AM on June 22, 2014
I'm glad you managed to save that, I saw like four big paragraphs, but I hadn't re-watched the movie yet so I didn't read it. Looking forward to Wednesday! Troika and I just watched it, I have many thoughts...
posted by doctornecessiter at 8:39 AM on June 22, 2014
No, seriously: someone start another movie club.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:37 PM on June 22, 2014
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:37 PM on June 22, 2014
DirtyOldTown - Sleepaway Camp is on the table for Summer Movie Club. How about a crossover sometime in the coming weeks?
posted by troika at 11:33 AM on June 23, 2014
posted by troika at 11:33 AM on June 23, 2014
The People Under the Stairs
If this is not a cult movie, it should be. My best friend and I watched this movie way too many times back in high school. There's one scene in particular where Fool falls down the stairs and he's wearing a different shirt at the bottom than he was at the top.
posted by Hoopo at 1:40 PM on June 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
If this is not a cult movie, it should be. My best friend and I watched this movie way too many times back in high school. There's one scene in particular where Fool falls down the stairs and he's wearing a different shirt at the bottom than he was at the top.
posted by Hoopo at 1:40 PM on June 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
Where is this discussion taking place? I looked at FanFare and didn't see a post? I love Noroi to bits and wanted to join in but it's unclear where y'all are talking about it.
posted by jess at 1:45 PM on June 23, 2014
posted by jess at 1:45 PM on June 23, 2014
Where is this discussion taking place? I looked at FanFare and didn't see a post? I love Noroi to bits and wanted to join in but it's unclear where y'all are talking about it.
The post will go up on Wednesday on FanFare.
posted by doctornecessiter at 2:00 PM on June 23, 2014
The post will go up on Wednesday on FanFare.
posted by doctornecessiter at 2:00 PM on June 23, 2014
I just watched it and will wait for the Wednesday fanfare thread, but holy shit the YouTube comments. Always with the worst comments, YouTube.
posted by Hoopo at 11:33 PM on June 23, 2014
posted by Hoopo at 11:33 PM on June 23, 2014
such an acknowledged classic of the genre that I imagine just about anyone interested in horror flicks has watched it multiple times and discussed / read discussions about ad nauseum. Really nothing new to be said there.
Personally I don't belong to many online forums where horror movies are discussed, and most horror websites I've visited have been sort of subpar in terms of writing. It seems like a somewhat neglected area of film in that regard. I have no issue with doing genre classics here, and in fact it wouldn't surprise me if some Mefites had interesting takes on some of them. But I'm also not going to argue if people don't want to watch them.
posted by Hoopo at 7:57 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Personally I don't belong to many online forums where horror movies are discussed, and most horror websites I've visited have been sort of subpar in terms of writing. It seems like a somewhat neglected area of film in that regard. I have no issue with doing genre classics here, and in fact it wouldn't surprise me if some Mefites had interesting takes on some of them. But I'm also not going to argue if people don't want to watch them.
posted by Hoopo at 7:57 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'll never not watch The Thing, but I'm not sure if there's a lot to be said about it. Then again, why the hell not? It's a great movie. We can sit around talking about it being great, for all I care.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 10:32 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 10:32 AM on June 24, 2014
I've been thinking that focusing on lesser-known/seen movies (like Noroi) should be the purpose of this endeavor in general, and I still think that, but if eventually scheduling something like The Thing means that a MeFite who hasn't seen it before will finally get around to it in order to discuss it on here, then in my opinion that will make it worthwhile.
Maybe consider adding a "Classic" week to troika's proposed cycle?
posted by doctornecessiter at 11:05 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Maybe consider adding a "Classic" week to troika's proposed cycle?
posted by doctornecessiter at 11:05 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm a little unconvinced on the whole idea of a cycle, myself, but yeah, maybe. If there's a cycle, can we make it a requirement that at least some of the movies have to be genuinely scary? I loved Cabin in the Woods, and I like stuff like Scream and some slasher movies, but they're not scary. Maybe one of the categories in the cycle should be just "makes you piss your pants".
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 11:24 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 11:24 AM on June 24, 2014
Tomorrow we can discuss whether or not it totally worked, but Noroi is designed to be scary, it's not exactly a light-hearted romp.
posted by doctornecessiter at 11:52 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by doctornecessiter at 11:52 AM on June 24, 2014
Yeah, that's the kind of thing I mean (although yes, let's discuss that tomorrow).
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 12:05 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 12:05 PM on June 24, 2014
retro and classic can be combined, no?
I was thinking of "classic" in terms of generally well-regarded and popular, known to mainstream audiences, likely older just because it can take some time to develop a reputation in the popular consciousness...And "retro" would be specifically movies from bygone eras. I think in every other category besides classic it would be best to focus on good movies that many people might not know.
posted by doctornecessiter at 3:49 PM on June 24, 2014
I was thinking of "classic" in terms of generally well-regarded and popular, known to mainstream audiences, likely older just because it can take some time to develop a reputation in the popular consciousness...And "retro" would be specifically movies from bygone eras. I think in every other category besides classic it would be best to focus on good movies that many people might not know.
posted by doctornecessiter at 3:49 PM on June 24, 2014
I think the idea of a cycle is a good one, for variety's sake; I hope Troika doesn't mind my doing a little bit of revision for a possible cycle:
Week 1: Recent (last five years? last ten years?)
Week 2: Non-English language ("foreign" is tough to make work in an international community, but everyone here knows English; this descriptor should keep us casting a wide net)
Week 3: Classic/retro
Week 4: Random selection
I think a wild card space might keep the cycle from yielding results that are too predictable. Some kind of structure is probably necessary, but the more open, the better, I think...
posted by kittens for breakfast at 3:51 PM on June 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
Week 1: Recent (last five years? last ten years?)
Week 2: Non-English language ("foreign" is tough to make work in an international community, but everyone here knows English; this descriptor should keep us casting a wide net)
Week 3: Classic/retro
Week 4: Random selection
I think a wild card space might keep the cycle from yielding results that are too predictable. Some kind of structure is probably necessary, but the more open, the better, I think...
posted by kittens for breakfast at 3:51 PM on June 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
Oh, I don't mind! It was just a thought, there are so many types of horror out there (and it seems like the crowd is interested in covering as many as possible), having a schedule/cycle would help us narrow our options when it comes to actually making a choice each week. Certainly nothing official or anything, just a suggestion.
posted by troika at 4:11 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by troika at 4:11 PM on June 24, 2014
I'm totally open to a formalized rotation. Let's take it week by week just a bit longer though, and see how we feel about categories.
There are all kinds of things we haven't even talked about yet:
--doing "festivals" of multiple movies either from a series or connected in some other fashion (original/remake, from the same era/studio/country, same star, whatever)
--"holiday" series (I totally think in December we should watch things like Silent Night, Deadly Night and/or Rare Exports
And frankly, I think we should flat-out go bananas in October, in celebration of Halloween.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:14 PM on June 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
There are all kinds of things we haven't even talked about yet:
--doing "festivals" of multiple movies either from a series or connected in some other fashion (original/remake, from the same era/studio/country, same star, whatever)
--"holiday" series (I totally think in December we should watch things like Silent Night, Deadly Night and/or Rare Exports
And frankly, I think we should flat-out go bananas in October, in celebration of Halloween.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:14 PM on June 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
Hey check it out: Larry Cohen's God Told Me To in 480p on YouTube.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:15 PM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:15 PM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
I was just going through Netflix and we gotta get on Pumpkinhead. Haven't seen that one since high school but I distinctly remember expecting awful cheesiness and being pleasantly surprised that it was pretty well done.
Also Motel Hell. And Highway to Hell. Both terrible with legit creepy moments.
posted by Hoopo at 9:49 PM on June 24, 2014
Also Motel Hell. And Highway to Hell. Both terrible with legit creepy moments.
posted by Hoopo at 9:49 PM on June 24, 2014
Hoopo: "I was just going through Netflix and we gotta get on Pumpkinhead. Haven't seen that one since high school but I distinctly remember expecting awful cheesiness and being pleasantly surprised that it was pretty well done."
Pumpkinhead is surprisingly ok, yeah, I remember having the same reaction as you. However, the sequels should be AVOIDED AT ALL COST.
"Also Motel Hell. And Highway to Hell. Both terrible with legit creepy moments."
We could do a festival of films with "Hell" in the title. Jason goes to Hell, Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell, absolutely all the Hellraisers... Actually, I'm not liking this idea that much.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 10:54 PM on June 24, 2014
Pumpkinhead is surprisingly ok, yeah, I remember having the same reaction as you. However, the sequels should be AVOIDED AT ALL COST.
"Also Motel Hell. And Highway to Hell. Both terrible with legit creepy moments."
We could do a festival of films with "Hell" in the title. Jason goes to Hell, Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell, absolutely all the Hellraisers... Actually, I'm not liking this idea that much.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 10:54 PM on June 24, 2014
(Although Drag me to Hell is pretty good.)
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 10:56 PM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 10:56 PM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm ok with this thing being totally unstructured as in what seems really awesome and too much like the film we just watched. One thing that might throw a wrench into really long term plans is if things get pulled off streaming.
I am so ready to go bonkers in Oct!
Motel Hell is fantastic. Haven't seen that in ages.
posted by oneear at 12:28 AM on June 25, 2014
I am so ready to go bonkers in Oct!
Motel Hell is fantastic. Haven't seen that in ages.
posted by oneear at 12:28 AM on June 25, 2014
I wonder if we could discuss horror films that are also cult films, so that the horror film club and the cult film club does not feel constrained and can mutually enjoy the film. Perhaps every so often we can do a partnership on a film like Motel Hell or Wicker Man (either version, the original for its brilliance, the later for its awfulness), and benefit from a joint discussion.
Otherwise, I'm not clear on to approach films like God Told Me To or It's Alive or Q: The Winged Serpent (Hey! Are those all Larry Cohen films?)
What do you think?
posted by maxsparber at 8:13 AM on June 25, 2014
Otherwise, I'm not clear on to approach films like God Told Me To or It's Alive or Q: The Winged Serpent (Hey! Are those all Larry Cohen films?)
What do you think?
posted by maxsparber at 8:13 AM on June 25, 2014
I know there's been some talk of scheduling co-Horror Club and Summer Camp movies in the near future (Sleepaway Camp specifically, at this point), I'm sure there can be room to do something similar with unclassifiably weird Larry Cohen style "horror" movies with the cult club.
posted by doctornecessiter at 9:11 AM on June 25, 2014
posted by doctornecessiter at 9:11 AM on June 25, 2014
max, I agree, it would be great to coordinate both groups some week for the ones that qualify for both. Usually there's a good reason there's a cult following, and there seem to be a good number of horror movies with cult followings.
posted by Hoopo at 9:32 AM on June 25, 2014
posted by Hoopo at 9:32 AM on June 25, 2014
Has there been any word on when the FanFare post might go up? I know that movies are still mod-only for posting.
posted by doctornecessiter at 11:35 AM on June 25, 2014
posted by doctornecessiter at 11:35 AM on June 25, 2014
I just contacted the mods and mathowie responded promptly. He said it will be up in a couple of hours. So we're set.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:37 PM on June 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:37 PM on June 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Is there a more recent discussion going on about what's next in the queue somewhere? Or do we continue to use this thread?
posted by Hoopo at 3:17 PM on June 26, 2014
posted by Hoopo at 3:17 PM on June 26, 2014
We continue to use this thread.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 3:33 PM on June 26, 2014
posted by DirtyOldTown at 3:33 PM on June 26, 2014
Okay, nice people who may be around:
I'm going to choose by tomorrow and the candidates are:
-Bay of Blood Mario Bava classic, the progenitor of the slasher film
-The House on Haunted Hill - William Castle's campy/scary classic; a key star turn for Vincent Price, whose birthday would have been last month
-Carnival of Souls - spooky/weird cult classic
The first two have wide availability, including Netflix. The last one has multiple rental options and is also on YouTube.
Thoughts?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:30 PM on June 26, 2014
I'm going to choose by tomorrow and the candidates are:
-Bay of Blood Mario Bava classic, the progenitor of the slasher film
-The House on Haunted Hill - William Castle's campy/scary classic; a key star turn for Vincent Price, whose birthday would have been last month
-Carnival of Souls - spooky/weird cult classic
The first two have wide availability, including Netflix. The last one has multiple rental options and is also on YouTube.
Thoughts?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:30 PM on June 26, 2014
My vote is for Carnival of Souls. Purely selfishly (again), because of those three it's the one I've watched least recently.
posted by doctornecessiter at 6:26 AM on June 27, 2014
posted by doctornecessiter at 6:26 AM on June 27, 2014
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
What's more, various things people said they were interested in for the second pick were:
-not as widely seen
-more of a straight scare flick
-not quite as recent
There were also some folks who spoke about found footage and non-English language films.
So, when someone recommended a nearly ten year old Japanese found footage film that was freely available on YouTube, had shockingly few iMDb votes, was well-reviewed... well, that seemed like kismet.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:31 PM on June 19, 2014 [3 favorites]