House of a Thousand Corpses (2003)

As part of the 2022 Annual Horror Movie Countdown, I re-watched Rob Zombie's House of a Thousand Corpses (2003). I normally don't do rewatches because the whole point of this challenge is to experience new horror, but Mark had never seen it, and I only saw it once, when I was 18, so 15 years ago. At the time, I found it really powerful, shocking, and viscerally disturbing. It didn't have quite the same impact this time (for one thing, now that The Office has happened, it's hard to see Rainn Wilson without thinking of Dwight) -- but I still think it's an underrated movie. Yes, it's a little all-over-the-place, but this ghoulish family nails several horror archetypes, from yandere "Baby" to psycho Otis, and more. I still love it.

Hush (2016)

Thanks to Nicole for kicking off the top 100 countdown with me! First of the season was Hush (2016), a slasher with a strong female lead who is deaf and mute. This was interesting from a plot perspective (cf The Quiet Place), and I always enjoy seeing sign language represented in films (learned the sign for "bitch" haha), but unfortunately this was pretty much the only interesting part. As Nicole said, pretty standard cat-and-mouse stuff. And the gross violence/gore was frankly pretty gratuitous.

Must say, I'm not impressed with Mike Flanagan, who also did Gerald's Game, which sucked.

Suicide Circle aka Jisatsu sâkuru (2001)

Damn. Suicide Circle aka Jisatsu sâkuru (2001) was a brilliant but brutal watch.

 ** ❗Content warning, there was a scene at ~1:05:00 that was too horrible/disturbing for me, I had to stop watching and turn it off last night. The movie up to that point was really awesome and creative, so I came back to it today, just fast-forwarded through that scene. Truly awful subject matter and felt so real that it really disturbed me. On the balance, I still liked/respected the movie. But if you choose to watch, please be ready (I was not).❗** 

Anyway, there were some super iconic moments, I'm really shocked I had never heard of or seen this movie before. (Mark said he saw it like 15 years ago.) I have seen a great deal of American horror by now, but one of my goals for this year is to expand my knowledge of international horror. HMU if you want in on that! 🇯🇵👺👹👻

May (2002)

May (2002) was f'ing brutal. I almost never do this in movies (tho I also did for Suicide Club, tough countdown this year!), but I had to make Mark fast forward a few times. I don't want to give spoilers but just trust, there is some messed up content in this one. This was Julkita (2017) level gnarly, but sadder. 🤢😢 Trying to maintain critical distance, but honestly have no idea if this was a good movie or not, gunna have to sit with it a bit once I settle down. 😅 Though my first impression is that it was more creative than your usual mutilation fest (cf the idiotic Saw movies), more like Tim Burton's Sally ft Buffalo Bill. Viewer be warned...

The Loved Ones (2009)

The Loved Ones (2009) was viscerally disturbing. Felt like the psychological heir to House of a Thousand Corpses (2003), but need to sit with it to see if it has staying power. Do not recommend for the faint of heart... may not recommend at all, haha.

Raw (2016)

YESSSSSS FINALLY, a movie worthy of the Top 100 challenge!!!! Julia Ducournau's Raw (2016) is the best horror movie I have seen in so long. If you liked Ginger Snaps (2000) or Når dyrene drømmer (2014), you're gonna love Raw (French: Grave)! Prepare to say "oh my god f*ck oh no, no don't do it!!!"  cause it gets bloody and graphic fast, but this is transformation horror at its finest. 💯🏆🏆🏆

Santa Sangre (1989)

WOWWWW Santa Sangre (1989) is one the best movies I've ever seen, across genres. Such richness and depth of emotion! So very strange and haunting!! Brilliant. I knew I loved Dario Argento (Suspiria is my all-time favorite horror movie), but now I am pretty damn impressed by Claudio Argento, too! What a talented family.

Dead Ringers (1988)

Dead Ringers was incredibly disturbing. Incredibly good, but wow. Incredibly disturbing. As though we weren't already scared of twins and gynecologists.

The Signal (2007)

The Signal (2007) was brutal. 3 different segments by 3 directors - only Jacob Gentry's portion (Jealousy Monster) had any redeeming value, IMHO, because parts were very funny (photo is from this segment). The first part was meh and the third part was just ugly and awful. Overall "yuck" rating for the gratuitous violence against women, which felt motivated more by misogyny than by the plot.