Halloween Hangover - Book Recommendations

by Theresa Dillon

It’s the most wonderful time of year! Spooky decorations everywhere, pumpkin everything and horror films upping the game on all streaming platforms for everyone’s viewing delight. And let’s not forget the return of The Shape on the big screen this Halloween season.

But when November 1^st hits, Halloween is officially over and Christmas takes over. (Poor, wonderful Thanksgiving).

If you’re like me and not ready to say goodbye to this awesome time of year and are Netflixed/Shuddered out, I’ve got you covered with 5 killer books to curl up with on the couch.

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado 

Published in 2017, I was drawn to this book thanks to the adult-version of the short story “The Green Ribbon” from In a Dark, Dark Room; a book I read as a child. That story has been transformed into the beautifully written “The Husband Stitch.” I’m already dreaming of a female filmmaker to pick up this story for a short film. Other standouts from this collection include “Inventory,” “Real Women Have Bodies,” and “The Resident.” Without giving anything away, each story is unique and leaves the reader (more specifically female) mesmerized

Pretty Little Monsters by Kelly Link 

If you’re into the fantastically weird, you need to check out Kelly Link. Her short story collection for young adults was my introduction to this fantastic writer but any age will enjoy this collection. If you want a story that will leave you with chills, read “Monster.” For the fun and fantastical, read “The Faery Handbag.” To end the collection on a high note, Link’s novella “Pretty Little Monsters” takes you back to the teen years of fitting in with the crowd but with a howling-good twist. 

Nocturnes by John Connolly 

Connolly is most well-known by mystery/thriller readers for his Charlie Parker series. I, however; fell in love with his other writings, specifically his horror/comedy series The Creeps. I’m going to take you on a spookier journey though by recommending his first volume of scary short stories, Nocturnes. If you’re a Richard Matheson fan, I think this collection is right up your alley. While it may not include the killer twists Matheson was known for, it draws you in and offers a variety of macabre tales. I especially loved “The Erlking,” “The New Daughter,” “The Furnace Room” and “The Inkpot Monkey.” Note: If you read before bed like me, some of these tales can induce nightmares so be prepared.

The Neighbors by Ania Ahlborn 

Touted as a cross between Blue Velvet and Basic Instinct, this book starts off at a shimmer but boils over with crazy revelations. Ahlborn is a master at crafting her characters and this is a great intro to her writing. Another amazingly, creepy book by Ahlborn is Seed but as it actually terrifies me the further I read, I have yet to finish it as it’s too scary for me personally to read at night. Check it out if The Neighbors is too tame for you.

The Hunger by Alma Katsu 

Do you enjoy reading about tragic historical events? This is the book for you! Katsu takes you on a trip with The Donner Party in this historical fiction account of what happened while driving out West to achieve the “American dream.” With various supernatural elements, thoroughly researched details and characters you root for, this take is haunting and will partially satiate your inner historian.

14 and The Fold by Peter Clines 



Here’s a 2 for 1 for you. Clines’ 14 and The Fold actually tie together and are a fun read for H.P. Lovecraft fans. Start with 14, the first of this unique series. Both books are on the lighter reading end so if you’re looking for Lovecraft intensity, you won’t find that here but you will get a glimpse into a new view of Cthulhu with interesting scenarios, crazy science, and lovable characters.

Do you like my list? Maybe you have your own recommendations? You can reach me on Twitter @theresadillon for any comments. 

Streamathon - Movie Making Movies

Streamathon - Movie Making Movies

Streamathon

Movie Making Movies (April 2018)

Preface: This is part of an ongoing blog series of curated movie marathons that are thematically or otherwise tied together. The other common factor tying these films together will be their availability to watch them all from the comfort of your own home on various streaming platforms. The goal is that writing this blog will somehow justify the excessive number of streaming platforms I subscribe to. The films will be found on some combination of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Mubi, FilmStruck, Shudder and/or Fandor. These titles will be available for the month that the blog is published. All of these subscriptions offer free trials so feel free to dive in and follow along… Have fun. Just don’t message me for my login information.

By: Emery Martin-Snyder

It’s almost time yet again for the Phoenix Film Festival and the International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival. This is the opportunity for internet writer schlubs like me to rub elbows with filmmakers and industry people. The whole thing tends to leave me inspired, exhausted and exhilarated simultaneously. I thought about doing my stream this month on films that I’ve seen over the years at the festival but it turns out that I’ve already covered a lot of them in other posts. So instead, I decided to pay homage to all of the artists that make this and festivals like this actually possible, the filmmakers themselves.

Film has always been the most post-modern of all art forms. I think it’s because of that fact that you find some of the greatest cinematic stories ever told are the ones that are actually about the creative process. In 1952, Gene Kelley and Debbie Reynolds lamented cinema’s transition to the sound era with SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. Billy Wilder’s SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950) and Preston Sturges’ SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS (1941) gave us a glimpse into what it takes to write a meaningful script. Later, films like Barry Sonnenfeld’s GET SHORTY (1995) or Robert Altman’s THE PLAYER (1992) would take a more cynical look at the process. Whatever the case, I’ve always felt inspired by movies about making movies. So, here’s some that are available to stream right now.

The Stream

8 ½ (1963)

Directed by Federico Fellini – Streaming on FilmStruck

“I really have nothing to say, but I want to say it all the same.” – Guido Anselmi

When it comes down to it, Fellini’s most famous work may be the mother of all arthouse ‘films about films’. Marcello Mastroianni’s Guido is a famous director day tripping his way through the dreamscape of his next film.  His constant distractions provide both the plot of the film as well as its backstory. And throughout this process, he is forced to face his own introspection. The end result is like a double layer of art for the sake art for the sake of art for the sake of possibly nothing at all.

BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO (2012)

Directed by Peter Strickland – Streaming on Hulu

This is a story about a sound technician working on an Italian horror film in the 1970’s. Toby Jones gives a very rare lead performance that is absolutely on point. The audience is treated to an aesthetically beautiful behind the scenes look at how the sound of cinema is achieved. A film about sound design should have great sound in it and this one unquestionably does. Slowly but surely, Gilderoy (Jones) begins to question his decision as well as his own mind. As is wont to happen, art begins imitating life and vice versa in this Poe-esque tale of the hauntings of the mind.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION (2006)

Directed by Christopher Guest – Streaming on FilmStruck

First of all, Parker Posey is a national treasure and her comedic timing is criminally underrated. That being said; this, like all of Guest’s films features an ensemble cast in which each and every piece is delightful to watch. His style always seems to leave his subjects teetering on the edge of a comedic cliff. It would be so easy for them to fall off the edge into a pit of pity and self-loathing but it never seems to happen.  I don’t think this is quite the work of genius that is BEST IN SHOW (2000) or A MIGHTY WIND (2003) but all of the same pieces are there. It’s a great film to spend time with.

LIVING IN OBLIVION (1995)

Directed by Tom DiCillo – Streaming on Fandor

The only thing better than a weird 90’s indy comedy might be a weird 90’s indy comedy poking fun at weird 90’s indy comedies. And who better to tell a story like this than Tom DiCillo? He started his career working as Jim Jarmusch’s cinematographer. By the early 90’s, he began writing and directing his own work with the charmingly weird, JOHNNY SUEDE (’91). I think it’s this background that gave him the particular insight of all of independent filmmaking’s trials and tribulations. If you can watch this flick and still be inspired to do this kind of work, nothing will discourage you.

LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION (2003)

Directed by Joe Dante – Streaming on Netflix

Looney Tunes has always had a very meta flare to their properties. That’s why hiring Joe Dante to direct this one was one of the 21^st Century’s most genius decisions. Underrated actor Brandon Fraser teams up with super-crush Jenna Elfman, Daffy & Bugs to save something or someone (honestly, I have no idea what this movie is about and it doesn’t matter.) There’s also a pretty great list of cameos and supporting characters. Not the least of which, is a small but hilarious part for Joan Cusack. So, if you’re a 90’s kid like me and grew up thinking SPACE JAM was cool, you’re wrong. This is far better and deserves much more attention.

ROUGH CUT (2008)

Directed by Jang Hoon – Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

I wouldn’t necessarily put this into the upper tier of Korean cinema by a long stretch but I still think it’s got a lot of interesting stuff going on. Directed by Jang Hoon (SECRET REUNION) and penned by Kim Ki-Duk, this film tells the story of a spoiled brat movie star forced to work with a gangster to finish his latest action flick. A lot of what’s found here can be boiled down to a pretty typical ‘odd couple’ type film but I credit Ki-Duk’s screenplay for going above and beyond the expected.

THE VICTIM (2006)

Directed by Monthon Arayangkoon – Streaming on Shutter

Bad CGI and cheap jump scares are all to be forgiven in this much underseen Thai horror flick. That is because the direction (& misdirection) that its plot takes will completely take you by surprise. Ting is an aspiring actress that has been hired by the police department to play the victim in reenactments of various murders for evidentiary purposes. This act seems to illicit a scary and sometimes violent response from the ghosts of the real victims (apparently Thailand is just like, lousy with ghosts). Then the plot reveal is exposed and things get really weird. I’m not going to say any more about that because I found it very effective the first time I watched it. This isn’t a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination but I feel like it more than makes up for any of its shortcomings with its uniqueness. It’s well worth its runtime.

Streamathon - Black History Month

Streamathon 

Black History Month (February 2018)

Preface: This is part of an ongoing blog series of curated movie marathons that are thematically or otherwise tied together. The other common factor tying these films together will be their availability to watch them all from the comfort of your own home on various streaming platforms. The goal is that writing this blog will somehow justify the excessive number of streaming platforms I subscribe to. The films will be found on some combination of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Mubi, FilmStruck, Shudder and/or Fandor. These titles will be available for the month that the blog is published. All of these subscriptions offer free trials so feel free to dive in and follow along… Have fun. Just don’t message me for my login information.

By: Emery Martin-Snyder

The celebration and observance of Black History dates all the way back to 1926. 50 years later, it would change from a week to a month. So I thought that this would be a good opportunity to look back at some great films made by Black filmmakers. While researching the subject, I had no intention of only including films that have race and race relations as their themes. I was genuinely just looking for good films made by Black directors. It turns out that these themes were unavoidable. I’ll let my readers extrapolate whatever sort of deeper meaning there could be to this fact…. In the meantime, just watch these flicks. 

The Stream

CHI-RAQ (2015) 
Directed by Spike Lee - Streaming on Amazon Prime

There are a lot of different ways that the story of Chicago’s high violent crime rate could be told. I’m so glad that Spike Lee decided to tell it this way. It’s flamboyant, audacious, colorful and beautiful…. And oh yeah, it rhymes. Its story comes from a Greek comedy by Aristophanes called ”Lysistrata” about the women of the Athenian and Spartan soldiers withholding sex in an attempt to end the Peloponnesian War. Lee uses this story to illustrate present day systematic injustices and take jabs at the politics of privilege that have led to the violent landscape that Chicago finds itself in.

DOLEMITE (1975) 
Directed by D’Urville Martin – Streaming on Fandor

The New York Times once called this film the “Citizen Kane of Kung Fu pimping movies.” And although I’m not sure I really agree with the comparison, this flick is one hell of a ride. It’s full of continuity and other technical mistakes (you can clearly see the boom mike in one shot).  But I’m going to appreciate any story about a pimp who sends his prostitutes to “karate school”.  This film was made on a $100,000 budget and written and directed by its stars. D’urville Martin, a common fixture in both Blaxploitation and mainstream Hollywood films alike directed it and starred as the antagonist, Willie Green. The original screenplay was written by supporting actor Jerry Jones and adapted by Dolemite himself, Rudy Ray Moore. This is impressive because a lot of the most well-known Blaxploitation films were not actually made by African Americans. Jack Hill and Larry Cohen made a good career making these films in the 70’s. Don’t get me wrong, I love Hill’s FOXY BROWN (’74) and I think that Cohen’s BLACK CAESAR (’73) is a masterpiece. But those films were exploiting a very different type of gaze than what we find in films like DOLEMITE or Melvin Van Peeples’ SWEET SWEETBACK’S BAADASSSSS SONG (’71). 

SIDE NOTE: SWEET SWEETBACK is also currently streaming on Fandor. But, if you’ve never seen a Blaxploitation film, please don’t start there. Somethings you just have to ease your way into.

FRUITVALE STATION (2013) 
Directed by Ryan Coogler – Streaming on Netflix

Before you hit up the multiplex to see Ryan Coogler’s addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, check this impressive gem of a directorial debut. This is the story of the last hours of Oscar Grant before he was shot and killed by B.A.R.T officers on his way home from celebrating New Year’s Eve. As tragic as this story is, I absolutely applaud Coogler’s instinct to tell an honest account and refrain from the type of hero worship you might have expected to find. Oscar is portrayed as a troubled and very flawed young man that was most likely true to his actual character. What is showcased most beautifully in this film are the relationships he shares with his girlfriend, his mother and his young daughter. This is the type of depiction that is seemingly necessary to remind some that his life mattered. 

I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO (2016) 
Directed by Raoul Peck – Streaming on Amazon Prime

“White people are astounded by Birmingham…. They are endlessly demanding to be reassured that Birmingham is really on Mars.”

This documentary tells the story of Black Americans through the lens of activist James Baldwin’s writings. Baldwin was a contemporary of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King and I think he took a far more poetic approach to race relations than those two. His perspectives are challenging and unapologetic and they tear at the very core of even the most progressive of us all. Essentially, we are asked to acknowledge and confront the very fibers that have woven together this nation. 

LOSING GROUND (1982) 
Directed by Kathleen Collins – Streaming on FilmStruck

This is the most cerebral film on my list. It’s a deep and intellectually philosophic look at the nature of relationships, art, race and gender as well as how those things interact with and inform each other. Collins’ script never takes on specific political or social leanings. Rather, it opens up the subversive causation of said leanings in the way that an artist husband and his philosophy professor wife would most likely discuss these things. 

WHOSE STREETS? (2017) 
Directed by Sabaah Folayan – Streaming on Hulu

This documentary covers the protests in Ferguson, Missouri following the killing of Michael Brown. I’m kind of a media junkie…. especially these days. This film kind of knocked me on my SJW ass. I was absolutely flabbergasted at the amount of coverage and information that had been missing from the bird’s eye view coverage of even some of the most left leaning publications. It’s composed primarily of footage taken from the streets during the protests with a healthy dose of interviews sprinkled in for perspective and context. I’m not quite sure if this was even the overall point the filmmaker was attempting, but I felt that this was just as much about media bias as anything else.

Streamathon - Dystopian Futures (September 2017)

Streamathon 

September 2017 – Dystopian Futures

Preface: This is part of an ongoing blog series of curated movie marathons that are thematically or otherwise tied together. The other common factor tying these films together will be their availability to watch them all from the comfort of your own home on various streaming platforms. The goal is that writing this blog will somehow justify the excessive number of streaming platforms I subscribe to. The films will be found on some combination of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Mubi, FilmStruck, and/or Fandor. These titles will be available for the month that the blog is published. All of these subscriptions offer free trials so feel free to dive in and follow along… Have fun. Just don’t message me for my login information.

By. Emery Martin-Snyder

DYSTOPIAN FUTURES – This is probably my favorite sub-genre of science fiction. On the surface, these stories are often flourished with futuristic technologies and gadgets. But underneath, these are really just cautionary tales meant to inspire the public to question the powers that be. Many of these films could be considered “Orwellian”, a reference to George Orwell’s masterpiece novel 1984. Plenty of other authors have taken on this theme as well; Philip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury, H.G. Wells and William Gibson have all contributed seminal literature. My favorite of the lot is actually a novel published about 17 years prior to Orwell’s book. Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World gave us a view of a future in which the public is not overtly oppressed by a heavy handed government, but rather complicit in its own subjugation. He envisioned a future far too preoccupied with sex and pop culture to concern itself with civil liberties, government atrocities, corruption or collusions. I think the present day has proven Huxley’s future to be far more prescient and prophetic than Orwell’s. The mechanisms of our domination are pleasure and distraction, rather than fear and pain.

“...most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution.” -  Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

I’d buy that for a dollar!!! - H.G. Wells (I think)

And now that we’re only a month away from Denis Villeneuve’s highly anticipated sequel, BLADE RUNNER 2046, I figured it would be a good time to gear up and get in the mood with a bunch of films warning us with a harrowing glimpse of what may be.

PRO TIP: Add Fandor to your Amazon Prime membership. That way, its entire catalog is available through your Amazon Video app.

THE STREAM

DEATH RACE 2000 (1975) 

Directed by Paul Bartel – Streaming on Fandor

1975 was apparently a great year for this type of cinematic theme. This film and ROLLERBALL have very similar premises. A large corporation runs the country and pacifies the masses with a popular annual sports event. This is a cross country race in which the drivers score points by killing pedestrians. The front runner is Mr. Frankenstein (David Carradine) and he’s treated like a national hero. The story takes place in the year 2000, around 20 years after what is described as a “world crash”. It doesn’t really go into any more detail but it absolutely doesn’t matter. This low budget grindhouse flick is as bizarre as it is delightful.

LA JETEE (1962) 

Directed by Chris Marker – Streaming on FilmStruck

For those unaware this is the film that Terry Gilliam’s 1995 film, 12 MONKEYS, is based on. This arthouse classic is stunning. It is composed entirely of black and white still photography that tells of a post holocaustic future. Humanity’s survival depends on a man with a sponge memory to travel to the future to gather technological information that could save the present. The photography is gorgeous and the accompanying narration is extremely creative and inventive. Also, it’s only about a half an hour long so what’s there to lose?

METROPOLIS (1927) 

Directed by Fritz Lang – Streaming on Netflix

Even before Huxley’s masterpiece novel, this silent German Expressionism film tackled the subject of a dystopian future. This story takes place in a futuristic city in which the divide between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ could not be more stark. It’s a utopian wonderland for those with the means. The city’s gears however are turned and greased by the working class in an underground factory, out of sight. This film is also unique in that ultimately its message is one of hope. The prophet is searching for a mediator between the hands and the head, someone to bring unity, empathy and understanding.

RIKI-OH: THE STORY OF RICKY (1991) 

Directed by Lam Nai-Choi – Streaming on Fandor

There are a lot of good reasons that the public should be concerned with the privatization of the industrial prison complex. It incentivizes local law enforcement and prosecutors to fill them with non-violent criminals. It incentivizes lobbyist groups to pressure legislators for tougher laws to keep their criminal faucet running. And lastly, as this film explains, it gives crime bosses super powers… I guess. And no one wants that. This is a ridiculously violent flick. I can’t really say that the practical effects are great, but they are excessively bloody. And isn’t that what’s really important?

ROBOCOP (1987)  

Directed by Paul Verhoeven – Streaming on Hulu

This film takes place in the crime riddled future of Detroit. In order to combat street crime, the city begins privatizing the police force. It’s like Reaganomics on steroids. The evil Omni Consumer Products essentially “Pickle Ricks” the body of fallen officer, Alex Murphy, making him into a titanium/Teflon super robot cop. This is a satire meant to send up the excess consumerism of the 80’s. It should be watched in the same tone as John Carpenter’s THEY LIVE (88). And I actually think it’s a lot more fun than that film.

ROLLERBALL (1975) 

Directed by Norman Jewison – Streaming on FilmStruck

Although it’s not explicit in the film, I’m sure this world’s backstory began when some real estate billionaire reality show star became president after his failing ventures into the XFL and WWE. The world is controlled by what I would call a corporate oligarchy. The masses are subdued by live sporting events called rollerball. It’s basically like quidditch but they ride motorcycles instead of broomsticks. This makes for a much better spectator sport. The opulence of the set design on display here is what you would expect to see from the 70’s vision of a dystopian future, glass and crystal are everywhere. It reminds me of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s WORLD ON A WIRE. It’s very tacky.

SIDE NOTE: Considering the political and economic climate of the mid-70s, it’s understandable that we would find films like DEATH RACE 2000 and ROLLERBALL. This year also saw the release of a different post-apocalyptic dystopian future film that I almost included in this list. Unfortunately, I cannot, in good conscience, recommend L.Q. Jones’ A BOY AND HIS DOG. It’s streaming on Amazon Prime right now but it’s just far too disturbing for me. Judging by the rest of the films that I do recommend, this should tell you a lot.

V FOR VENDETTA (2005) 

Directed by James McTeigue – Streaming on Netflix

To be perfectly honest, I don’t think this is all that great of a movie. I find it a bit over stylized and most of the action scenes don’t really work kinetically. Some of the dialogue is just downright poorly written as well. But in the right mood, it works. Part of the reason that it works is that it’s just as much about the revolution as it is about the problem. And there isn’t anything with Natalie Portman in it that I won’t watch. In spite of all of its flaws, I still find the tone of this film to be inspiring and hopeful.