Men (2022)

Men (2022) was interesting. The cinematography was striking, and although I am basically anti-CGI, the (much-discussed) effects were surprisingly realistic. I dispute this being any kind of feminist film, however. Without giving too much away, a traumatized woman must survive a series of horrors -- but in my read of the (deliberately ambiguous) ending, it seems these may be merely the products of a mind worn out by abuse and misogyny. A tired trope. Criticisms aside, my favorite part of the movie was Rory Sinnear's performance as... damn near everybody. People keep talking about the Green Man motif, but the Sheela Na Gig is the real MVP.

Not near as good as Annihilation (2018).

Better Watch Out (2016)

I was excited by the prospect of a Christmas horror movie. Gremlins (1984) is one of my favs after all, Black Christmas (1974) is gold, and (while not a horror movie per se), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) has such an awesome aesthetic. Even with such classics, I really think the Christmas/horror genre is underexplored. Alas, Better Watch Out (2016) is not the movie to solve this problem, because it fa-la-la-la-failed. A torture porn version of Home Alone (1990) tis no reason to be jolly. 

Also, I have seen some people try to tout this as a feminist film. This is definitively not a feminist film. *** SPOILERS AHEAD*** 

Watching the female protagonist get tormented by a tween incel was really uncomfortable. The mere fact that she survives, and is teed up to rat out the sadistic twerp, does not redeem this film. Surving misogyny is not feminism. Sigh.

Vampires (1998)

Nicole and I watched Vampires (1998). We had reasonably high hopes bc John Carpenter, but this vampire western was hot garbage. Misogynistic thug vampire-hunters James Woods and Daniel "Budget" Baldwin hunt "The Master" with lots of inane tough talk and gratuitous violence. (I've now filled my lifetime quota for hearing "you fucking bitch." 🙄) Also, there is a strange homophobic/repressed homoerotic thing going on with Woods' character... no idea what that's about. The vampires themselves were also pretty uninspiring, brain-dead cannon fodder. All the effects were super OTT too. There were a couple cool scenes, but honestly this one was kind of a slog. ~~ If you wanna watch dusty tough guys kicking vampire butt, watch From Dusk til Dawn (1996) instead. ~~ Thanks for hanging in there with me, Nicole!

Tusk (2014)

Terra and I watched Tusk (2014), which was a trip. Disgusting, but darkly humorous... although for me the "ick" factor was distracting haha. As Terra said, "I definitely don't regret watching it but I also can't think of anyone I would recommend it to off the top of my head." 🤣🤣 

There was also a lot of misogyny which didn't seem to drive the plot at all, it was just uncomfortable.

Featuring the Sixth Sense kid (Haley Joel Osmont), and randomly, Johnny Depp.

Definitely the weirdest Kevin Smith film (I've seen, anyway). 

Henry: A Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

Henry: A Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) is a strange film, wherein the titular serial killer is the protagonist. I put off watching this film for a long time, because I don't like violence or gore in films. However, unlike in most slashers, you mostly don't see Henry killing his victims. Henry (Michael Rooker) goes about his daily activities, and the mutilated corpses of women surface in his wake. The murders, if not exactly incidental to his life, seem as natural as any other part of his routine. However, there were some graphic and deeply disturbing scenes in the movie. Rooker is almost TOO convincing as a cold-blooded, murderous thug. I don't know if I can really "recommend" this movie, but it was certainly effective for what it was -- a more realistic, less romanticized view of violence. It's based on a true story, too, of Henry Lee Lucas.

Frenzy (1972)

Frenzy (1972) was terrific. I love Hitchcock. It's been years and years since I've seen most of his work (though I don't think I'd ever seen this one), it's incredible how shocking it still feels, nearly 50 years later.

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)

Enjoyed The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970), Dario Argento's directorial debut, which I had never seen before. Gorgeous gallery scenes with fascinating sculptures, wish I knew who'd made them.

Vampire's Kiss (1988)

Watched Vampire's Kiss (1988) with Terra tonight - WOW what an awesome movie!! Love the enigma that is Nicolas Cage 😂 Also thank you Terra for introducing me to this gem: https://youtu.be/aeXIoBnu2MU

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.