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I love Guillermo del Toro, and I was excited about Crimson Peak (2015), but it was quite awful. The dialogue was unbearably stilted and the CGI was appalling. We turned it off halfway through, intending to pick it back up later, but honestly, life is too short.
The Mist (2007, black and white version) fell flat for me. I'm rarely one for creature features* -- I swing between finding the critters ludicrous, and pitiable. That was pretty much my take on this movie. I also find the emotionally-stunted male action-hero trope realllly played out and boring. Even taking the genre for what it is, however, the film left a lot to be desired. The scoring was absurdly melodramatic and the dialogue was overacted, even maudlin. I can't really think of anything positive to say. If you want to watch a newer horror film in black and white, I would recommend The Lighthouse (2019).
* With a few notable exceptions, like Shivers (1975), Slither (2006), and of course Jaws (1975). I'm also a fan of Tremors (1990), though I don't really consider that horror.
The Boneyard (1991) was quite awful. 🤣 It starts off incredibly slow and takes forever to pick up, and the dialogue (filled with gratuitous confessional-style oversharing) is ridiculous. Notttt quality cinema. Despite all that, the sfx makeup was awesome. Well, in some scenes it was crap, but the zombie children were really freaky and awesome looking!! In many horror movies, the creatures sort of lurk in the shadows, so you are always more afraid of your imagination than of whatever's on the screen. Not so here, the undead kiddos hold up to scrutiny in full view. (Perhaps unsurprising, considering James Cummins started his career in special effects and only later dabbled in directing.) This movie maybe gets some points for pure absurdity, but this is surely one to drunkenly heckle with your mates.
The Babysitter (2017) was enjoyable fluff nonsense, but I'm not sure this can really be called "horror." It was more Scary Movie than scary movie. If you like tall leggy blondes and satanic murder cults with ludicrous dialogue and over-the-top sfx, this one's for you!
Mark and I did not quite make it all the way thru The Beyond (1981), aka "...and you will live in terror! The Afterlife." The title was the best thing about this utterly ridiculous film. The dialogue (dubs) is so bad that it seems like a porno. This movie is ripe for hecklevision. (Normally I never wimp out on finishing movies, but we were busy and our streaming rental expired, and I just couldn't bring myself to spend another $3.99 on this nonsense. 🤣🤣)
Despite having the advantage of having been made in the 80s, aka the best horror decade, this movie was pretty terrible. The dialogue was kind of hilarious, tho. For one example of a representative exchange:
Doctor Robert Elliott: How are things going with you and Mike?
Kate Miller: Fine.
Doctor Robert Elliott: Good.
Kate Miller: [considering for a moment] No, they're not fine. What a stupid word that is. He gave me one of his wham-bang specials today and I'm mad at him. Isn't that right? Shouldn't I be mad at him?
Doctor Robert Elliott: Yeah. Did you tell him?
Kate Miller: Of course not. I moaned with pleasure at his touch - isn't that what every man wants?
Doctor Robert Elliott: I don't know. Is it?
Kate Miller: Don't start that stuff with me.
Mm Snakes on A Plane - best movie or worst movie? Impossible to decide 😂🐍✈️
