2021 Halloween Challenge

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28 days...6 hours...42 minutes...12 seconds
Here's my take on the F13th series.

The original was a cheap and quick cash in on what Halloween created. The result was a luke warm mess in my opinion. When compared to the other classic slasher counterparts (NOES, HALLOWEEN,
TCM) this film severely lacks in many areas. I give credit for the twist, but in reality it makes me questions the logistics of how some of the deaths were achieved.

As for the sequels, I feel like the genuine consensus is that Part 4 and Part 6 are the top two. Both Tommy Jarvis entries. The 6th one, I BELIEVE is the first one to actually deal with children at a camp. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Part 5 was directed by Danny Steinmann who claims they were basically directing a porno. It feels the sleaziest and as per accounts from people on the set, had some hard core drug use from basically everyone involved. It has some pretty cool kills and fun moments but is the black sheep of the series due to two elements: The killer reveal and the Jarvis ending. In retrospect, I appreciate the effort with the killer, but the the film in no way earns the Jarvis ending whatsoever. To the point that they retconned it for the next film, Jason Lives.

I feel like I remember the LEAST amount of stuff from The New Blood.

When we get to Jason Takes Manhattan, a lot of people were upset that the Manhattan parts were only in the last bits of the film, it should have been called Jason Takes a Boat Trip. The series obviously strayed very far from the seriousness and grounded aspects of the original (I'll throw in the sequel too) and leaned heavily into the camp (no pun intended) and sleaziness of it all. I much prefer Myers or Kruger as villains, yet I return to the Friday movies the most often. Is it safe to say that none of the Friday movies reach the heights of Halloween or NOES, but it also doesn't reach the lows?

Jason X...looks like a made for TV movie. Freddy VS Jason took too long to come out and despite an interesting story, has issues balancing the humour.

Everything after 6 were the filmmakers trying their best to make the films a bit different. Psychic powers, New York, Parasite worm, SPACE...None of them really worked. I wish one of these movies went the fan made picture route, Never Hike Alone has Jason taking people out during the winter.

The F13th remake wasn't THAT bad. It took an interesting route and merged all 3 first entries into one film, has a memorable sex scene and actually killed off a character I thought was going to make it to the end.

So which Friday do I prefer? Jason Lives. It takes all the elements that the series is known for and blends them together in a pretty entertaining and funny film. It boarders parody, but walks that line pretty well.
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"A laugh can be a very powerful thing. Why, sometimes in life, it's the only weapon we have."

Suspect's Reviews



A system of cells interlinked
If you prefer 3 over 2 then I think you binged too hard and got the series mixed up.
3 is a pale and pitiful sequel to 2.
What in tarnation!

I do think the first film is probably the best of the bunch, but 3 is the one I reach for when I want some Friday the 13th fun. I love everything about Friday the 13th part 3: the cast is the biggest bunch of goons in any of the films, has a simultaneously endearing and annoying final girl, a silly synth score, and if my math is right, it takes place on Saturday the 14th. This thing is chock full of goofy sight gags and bad jokes, has some of the more memorable kills, a hilarious group of bikers, and is the first time we see Jason with his iconic hockey mask. I also have a country grocery store full of nostalgia for this one, as I was able to sneak in and see this in the theater at a very young age, thanks to a classmates older sister. Saw it in the original anaglyphic 3d, in all its terrible glory.



I feel like I remember the LEAST amount of stuff from The New Blood.
The New Blood has the galactically terrible actress, Lar Park Lincoln in it. I love me some Lar Park Lincoln! The New Blood is good for plenty of good belly laughs as you revel in glorious Lar Park goodness.

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“It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.” ― Thomas Sowell



28 days...6 hours...42 minutes...12 seconds
October 2nd

Bones




I'll give credit where credit is due, there were a few moments of really cool imagery here. The first is the wall of people stuck in the black tar like substance. It looks like a 3D painting at first, then they start to move and grab at the characters. When I saw that, I was struck by how out of place it was because the rest of the movie felt amateurish. These was a cool moment that stood out above everything else. The second was the imagery of Bianca Lawson in bed while blood pooled around her. She's writhing in it and it overcomes her. Two cool and creative horror moments in an otherwise unintentionally funny 'horror' movie.

Snoop Dogg is a terrible actor, the rest of the cast do nothing to help in that department, despite have some recognizable names such as Pam Grier and Katherine Isabelle. The story has a young guy who purchases a run down building in the hopes of turning it into some kind of DJ night club. Unfortunately for him, it might be haunted? Through a series of gold filtered flashbacks we see that Bones (Dogg) was murdered here and buried in the basement. His soul infected a dog that can't be killed? The dog feasts on people and the dug up skeleton of a body in the basement regenerates back into Snoop Dogg. He then proceeds to exact revenge on those who wronged him.

Cheap CGI smoke litters the screen whenever the evil spirit is around. Terrible make-up is plastered on one characters face that I laughed every single time he was on the screen. Finally the blood...it looks like they simply bought red paint. It's too bright. Looks like something out of the 70's or early 80's. Laughably bad.

Directed by Ernest Dickerson, who directed the fun Demon Knight, I can't help but feel disappointed in his effort here. He's gone on to direct in the television world now and looks to have found his success there.

Bianca Lawson should get extra points for having maggots in her mouth. Yuck.



While I think the F13 series is probably overly maligned outside of the horror community (they aren't that lousy, aren't that morally degenerate, aren't that redundant), they seem to still have a monolithic stature inside of the horror community that I wish it would shake. Because, mostly, I find them fairly dull and boring (and I say this as someone who does still have some amount of deep nostalgia for them embedded inside of me)


Like most, I consider the first two the most emblematic of the genre, and they are the two I am most fond of. Yes, there are some fair criticisms to be made about the quality of the original when compared to the first installments of the other slasher fare that broke into the mainstream. But F13 is the one that truly brings the spirit of exploitation films and managed to make a pop phenomenon out of it. It's raggedyness around the edges compared to Halloween or Elm Street, or its lowly comparable artistic worth next to Texas Chainsaw Massacre (undoubtedly one of the greatest films ever produced in America, regardless of genre), is part of its appeal. Its amateurism provides its violence a real directness, its artless ambitions turned murder into pure spectacle (which is 1980's American horror in a nutshell) and the filmmaking has a rambunctious do-it-yourself quality akin to punk rock. While I don't think it a particularly great movie, it is kind of an essential one.



Then F13 Pt2 does all of the exact same things, but refines it. Its almost unquestionably a better made movie (in a traditional sense), and as Wooley has mentioned, it is probably the one that functions best as an actual horror film. Not just some kind of pop culture artifact in the shape of a horror film. Unlike Wooley though, I would never go so far as to say it is that great either. But it is easily the one you can make the best case for.


Part 3 is where the de-evolution begins. This is when it becomes what it is essentially going to be for most of the remainder of the series. This is where it begins to live up to its reputation as a lowest common denominator entertainment. It is now focused almost solely on the kills. It realizes the audience is simply here to see different ways for people to be dispatched. That is all that will linger. And so this is what it does. It's a teen killing machine. I don't begrudge it for this. I suppose this approach has its place, and its certainly what I was after as a kid watching them. But now, as a person who likes to think about how film functions and the many ways it affects me as a person, I don't find it to be a particularly entertaining watch. It's little more than a memory lane thing (it was the first in the series I remember seeing commercials for on television, and there is an indelible quality to remembering how much I wanted to see it, and how frustrating it was I wasn't allowed into the theater)


Part 4 is when Paramount saw the money and they began to funnel more established talent into the franchise. And it shows. It almost feels like a real movie. It makes attempts at character development with nearly every cast member. It's taking this stuff seriouslyAnd yet, it still completely retains the its primal function of killing kids even more purely than any probably any other film in the franchise. The body count is enormous. There are endless walk on deaths. I think ultimately, it makes this probably the most 'watchable' of the series. And I get those who call it the best. But ultimately, its just all a charade, because at its core, its really just more of the same empty gestures using violence as some kind of commodity.



Part V is where the series, weirdly after clambouring for some kind of respectibility in IV, now decides it wants to be utter trash. It's kind of a vile thing. And this has its place. And it's kind of funny thinking of this movie being marketed on television by a legit studio. Because this is legitimate exploitation. Unforutnately though, not a very good example of it. It's a pretty extraordinarily lousy movie on all fronts.


Part VI is the only movie that really deserves any kind of deep analysis. It's choice acknowledge itself as a franchise that would not die, and turn the face of it into a frankensteins monster ressurrected from the dead by a lightning bolt, is kind of delightfully clever. Now, I'd be the first to admit I've never really cared for the campy tone of the movie. I don't think it really hits those marks it needs to, to really work. So it's not really a favorite of mine. But I've got lots of respect for it. And I probably deserve to give it a rewatch at some point, since I probably haven't seen it for thirty plus years.


I barely remember 7 and 8. But I know I didn't like either of them. This is where they begin to feel not only like they aren't particularly good movies. But they aren't even particularly good F13 movies as the anti septic stink of being studio products is starting to show through. For the most part, they are completely forgettable, which is probably why I did exactly that with them.


Part 9 is one of the worst movies ever made. What even needs to be said. It's bad, both in execution and in concept.



Jason X is also not a good movie. In fact, it's probably an extremely bad movie. But the novelty factor had some appeal to me when I finally watched it a couple of years ago. And it definitely has the funniest moment in the entire franchise, where I was kind of shocked how weirdly clever what they did was.



Victim of The Night
Here's my take on the F13th series.

The original was a cheap and quick cash in on what Halloween created. The result was a luke warm mess in my opinion. When compared to the other classic slasher counterparts (NOES, HALLOWEEN,
TCM) this film severely lacks in many areas. I give credit for the twist, but in reality it makes me questions the logistics of how some of the deaths were achieved.

As for the sequels, I feel like the genuine consensus is that Part 4 and Part 6 are the top two.
I think Part 4 genuinely sucks. I'd put it near the bottom probably. Zero suspense in the film just "let's get to the kills as quick as possible, show some boobs along the way, and hey, let's have that weirdo do a funny dance".
Not worth my time.



Victim of The Night
Meanwhile, added A Horror on Amazon, and A Horror on Shudder, with Phantasm and Ginger Snaps, respectively.
I'm a fan of both.



Victim of The Night
Then F13 Pt2 does all of the exact same things, but refines it. Its almost unquestionably a better made movie (in a traditional sense), and as Wooley has mentioned, it is probably the one that functions best as an actual horror film. Not just some kind of pop culture artifact in the shape of a horror film. Unlike Wooley though, I would never go so far as to say it is that great either. But it is easily the one you can make the best case for.
Exactly. Man, all this agreeing with you, I don't know how to handle it.



What in tarnation!

I do think the first film is probably the best of the bunch, but 3 is the one I reach for when I want some Friday the 13th fun. I love everything about Friday the 13th part 3: the cast is the biggest bunch of goons in any of the films, has a simultaneously endearing and annoying final girl, a silly synth score, and if my math is right, it takes place on Saturday the 14th. This thing is chock full of goofy sight gags and bad jokes, has some of the more memorable kills, a hilarious group of bikers, and is the first time we see Jason with his iconic hockey mask. I also have a country grocery store full of nostalgia for this one, as I was able to sneak in and see this in the theater at a very young age, thanks to a classmates older sister. Saw it in the original anaglyphic 3d, in all its terrible glory.




The New Blood has the galactically terrible actress, Lar Park Lincoln in it. I love me some Lar Park Lincoln! The New Blood is good for plenty of good belly laughs as you revel in glorious Lar Park goodness.

The world may seem like it’s falling apart at the moment but thank God there’s a Friday the 13th part 3! Possibly my most watched of the series. I strongly agree with your views.



28 days...6 hours...42 minutes...12 seconds
I think Part 4 genuinely sucks. I'd put it near the bottom probably. Zero suspense in the film just "let's get to the kills as quick as possible, show some boobs along the way, and hey, let's have that weirdo do a funny dance".
Not worth my time.
Disagree.

Part IV gives the viewers the best protagonist this series has. He's the one person that the audience actually cares about and follows through multiple films. I feel like this entry really has a solid footing on what works for this series and created a pretty good formula.

It has some new kill weapons, isn't afraid to show the deaths in gruesome ways and has one of the better Jason portrayals. This is probably the last film that people see Jason as a human, since the next time we see him he is literally resurrected by a lightning bolt.

Savini returns!!!! He sat out for the sequels and returns here and the quality shows. For you to say it lacks suspense when he is in the Jarvis house is weird to me. Along with the more gruesome deaths, there are more unique ways of showcasing the kills. For instance the silhouetted death by impalement, it helped change it up a bit.

I didn't hate every character here, only a few. That's a plus, hahaha.

Just my two cents on what is CLEARLY, not even remotely the worst in the series or anywhere near the bottom.



Here's my take on the F13th series.

Part 5 was directed by Danny Steinmann who claims they were basically directing a porno. It feels the sleaziest and as per accounts from people on the set, had some hard core drug use from basically everyone involved.

I've heard this before, but maybe the version I just watched had parts cut out, but it felt like there was less nudity in 5 than in 4. V does feel like it's the non-sex parts of a porno in term of acting and dialogue. Including the costumes for those two random greasers in the car.



I will not stand for this besmirching of the hardcore genre with a comparison to F13 Part V.



28 days...6 hours...42 minutes...12 seconds
I've heard this before, but maybe the version I just watched had parts cut out, but it felt like there was less nudity in 5 than in 4. V does feel like it's the non-sex parts of a porno in term of acting and dialogue. Including the costumes for those two random greasers in the car.
There was a 3 minute sex scene that had to be cut down to 15 seconds, hahaha. I wonder what else was left on the cutting room floor.



28 days...6 hours...42 minutes...12 seconds
October 3rd

Phantasm




Point for originality as I had no idea what was really going on for a lot of this movie.

First time watching Phantasm (I'm making an effort to make sure all my entries are never before seen films). I knew almost nothing about it, simply that it involved a caretaker known as The Tall Man and he had chrome flying spheres that drilled into people's heads. That was it. I had no idea about the dwarves or the inter dimensional stuff and all that took me for a loop.

I was basically trying to grasp what was going on the entire time. It wasn't scary, it was confusing. Yet I appreciate it. I've only seen Don Coscarelli's Bubba Ho-Tep, which I thought was great despite being on the slower side. This feels the same speed.

I appreciate the film and its status, but I doubt I'll continue watching the series.



28 days...6 hours...42 minutes...12 seconds
October 4th

Society




Welp, I don't think I'll top this one in terms of "WTF".

Society dives deep into the psychosexual depravity of the rich elite and we see this through a rather literal sequence in which the upper class sucks the life out of the lower class. I couldn't believe my eyes at the slimy grossness that drenched my screen. I couldn't wrap my head around any of the logistics about it. Who or what are these people?

The practical effects are fun to witness and had me wondering...who the hell comes up with this stuff? I laughed at the entire sequence and it made up for the rather mundane 80 some odd minutes the preceded it. I applaud it for the sheer absurdity of it all.

I have no other words.



October 3rd

Phantasm




Point for originality as I had no idea what was really going on for a lot of this movie.

First time watching Phantasm (I'm making an effort to make sure all my entries are never before seen films). I knew almost nothing about it, simply that it involved a caretaker known as The Tall Man and he had chrome flying spheres that drilled into people's heads. That was it. I had no idea about the dwarves or the inter dimensional stuff and all that took me for a loop.

I was basically trying to grasp what was going on the entire time. It wasn't scary, it was confusing. Yet I appreciate it. I've only seen Don Coscarelli's Bubba Ho-Tep, which I thought was great despite being on the slower side. This feels the same speed.

I appreciate the film and its status, but I doubt I'll continue watching the series.
I love this movie and I love it more every time I watch it. All the strange touches like his hand getting trapped in the box, or the flashback with the tuning fork, or the inexplicable blackness behind the characters as that odd wind whistles around them. I think it's scary because it's confusing, and it's the rare case where pieces that don't quite fit or make sense actually add to the film instead of taking away from it. Also the score is great.

October 4th

Society





Welp, I don't think I'll top this one in terms of "WTF".

Society dives deep into the psychosexual depravity of the rich elite and we see this through a rather literal sequence in which the upper class sucks the life out of the lower class. I couldn't believe my eyes at the slimy grossness that drenched my screen. I couldn't wrap my head around any of the logistics about it. Who or what are these people?

The practical effects are fun to witness and had me wondering...who the hell comes up with this stuff? I laughed at the entire sequence and it made up for the rather mundane 80 some odd minutes the preceded it. I applaud it for the sheer absurdity of it all.

I have no other words.
Another one I quite like. There's a great director's commentary out there from Yuzna.

It also has one of my favorite lines ever, namely "You know the schedule. First we dined,
WARNING: spoilers below
then I f*cked your sister."


There's also something marvelous about the fact that
WARNING: spoilers below
everyone is in on it. They've taken this kid and pretended to raise him as one of their own, when the whole time they've just been raising him like you'd raise an animal for slaughter. None of the loyalties that should exist (parental/sibling) do exist.



October 3rd

Phantasm




Point for originality as I had no idea what was really going on for a lot of this movie.

First time watching Phantasm (I'm making an effort to make sure all my entries are never before seen films). I knew almost nothing about it, simply that it involved a caretaker known as The Tall Man and he had chrome flying spheres that drilled into people's heads. That was it. I had no idea about the dwarves or the inter dimensional stuff and all that took me for a loop.

I was basically trying to grasp what was going on the entire time. It wasn't scary, it was confusing. Yet I appreciate it. I've only seen Don Coscarelli's Bubba Ho-Tep, which I thought was great despite being on the slower side. This feels the same speed.

I appreciate the film and its status, but I doubt I'll continue watching the series.

As your attorney, I advise that you watch Phantasm 2.



Victim of The Night
October 4th

Society




Welp, I don't think I'll top this one in terms of "WTF".

Society dives deep into the psychosexual depravity of the rich elite and we see this through a rather literal sequence in which the upper class sucks the life out of the lower class. I couldn't believe my eyes at the slimy grossness that drenched my screen. I couldn't wrap my head around any of the logistics about it. Who or what are these people?

The practical effects are fun to witness and had me wondering...who the hell comes up with this stuff? I laughed at the entire sequence and it made up for the rather mundane 80 some odd minutes the preceded it. I applaud it for the sheer absurdity of it all.

I have no other words.
I got some friends who are fans of horror, body-horror, and satire... and yet they disliked it and thought I was crazy for liking it and recommending it. I'm glad you had a more appropriate response.



October 4th

Society




Welp, I don't think I'll top this one in terms of "WTF".

So, have you seen Naked Lunch?


And I will concur with the advice to check out Phantasm 2. I don't know the best choice of words to set expectations.



Victim of The Night
21. A horror short film under 30 minutes (literally a minute and forty-five seconds long)

(Cross-posted from Captain Terror's and my thread):

The Infernal Cauldron (1903)

From The Public Domain Review:

Short film by Georges Méliès, released through his Star Film Company, featuring demons, flames, spectres, and a brilliant array of the film-maker's usual arsenal of tricks. As Wikipdia sums up: "In a Renaissance chamber decorated with devilish faces and a warped coat of arms, a gleeful Satan throws three human victims into a cauldron, which spews out flames. The victims rise from the cauldron as nebulous ghosts, and then turn into fireballs. The fireballs multiply and pursue Satan around the chamber. Finally Satan himself leaps into the infernal cauldron, which gives off a final burst of flame."