Review: Pieces

Pieces (1982)

College campus terrorized by a serial killer, cops cant find out who it is as they try to track down the murderer. This one of the movies that I feel helped built this cliche, and its as fun as a movie about this should be. Plenty of gore and sex, and enough goofy dialogue in between. The whodunnit aspects of the movie are fun as well with enough red herrings that I actually kept guessing, mostly as to how much credit of originality I should give the movie. The version I watched had some awkward dubbing, but I think it helped my experience of the film. The killer in the movie is going after young women specifically, and in a rather sexual manner because of a crazy event in his childhood which the movie opens with. I clearly was inspired by other early slash movies like Halloween and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This is really fun movie that should be in anyone's short list when discussing 80's slashers. I cant really say too much more about it because I kind of want to keep this review relatively spoiler free and there are some pretty awesome bits towards the end when the movie comes together.

Lets get ripped up for this shlocky romp with an

Absolute Chainsaw

1/2 oz Absolut Vodka
1 oz Wild Turkey
1/2 oz Jagermeister
1 can Natty

Pour the three douchey liquors into the nearest red solo cup and pour the douchey beer on top, because we need to get wicked drunk for this bloody rager, don't forget to pop your collar and lube your chainsaw.

Review: Phantasm

Phantasm (1979)

Phantasm basically has the same plot as Plan 9, that is aliens are stealing human corpses because of reasons. The film centers on young Jody, a boy of 13 and his older brother Michael Baldwin. Their parents died some time ago, and at the start of the movie so has one of Michael's buddies. Michael Baldwin seems to act like taking care of Jody is a total drag, man, and cant wait to get back "on the road". Soon things start getting weird, because this really tall guy in a suit and some Jawas start fucking with Jody Baldwin. However, the creepiest thing about this movie to me is Michael Baldwin's other buddy, the balding ice cream truck driver with the pony tail. He is so slimy and has a really odd relationship with the young 13 year old Jody. I almost think this would have been an even better movie if all the weird supernatural/sci-fi stuff was a fabrication of Jody's mind to cope with all the shit he has to deal with. Actually at first I wasn't sure the kid wasn't just seeing things, his brother definitely doesn't believe him at first. This is the kind of movie with odd pacing and direction of the plot that actually adds to the tension. We aren't really sure what it is gong to happen next because it keeps throwing really weird paranormal shit at us and then going back to a late 70's after school special about hanging out with your older brothers friends. The main ghoul is this tall creeper who can change his appearance, which opens up even more doubt as to who to trust and who is really themselves. I really feel like I need to watch this movie again to really get it, but it did intrigue me. I had to return it to videodrome last night so a second viewing will have to wait, but I will return with a more in-depth report on it when I find the time.

Corpse Reviver

1 1/2 oz Brandy
1/2 oz Fernet
1 oz White Creme de Menthe

Pour ingredients into a glass with ice, stir lightly and strain into a cocktail glass. Will bring anyone you want back to life, be sure to have a child sized brown cloak for them as they will be tiny and gross after reanimation.

Review: Possession (1981)

Possession (1981)

This is not the movie I reviewed earlier this month, although they do have some things in common, like themes of family and divorce. In a way the weirdest part of this movie is the first hour, which is still well grounded in the mundane, its just the over-the-top dramatic responses from everyone and odd behavior coupled with the cinematography. The story starts off with a Sam Neil coming home from some sort of long business trip, which we quickly learn had some sort of clandestine nature. His wife isn't terribly comfortable with him being there, it seems as though they have drifted apart while he was away. Things quickly deteriorate between them and their very young son is caught in the middle. He begins to suspect there is another man, and he is right to think so. Eventually it comes to them splitting up, with much screaming and violence. Its a frantic movie, and the intense acting walks the narrow line between comical and disturbing, often slipping a toe to either side. We are never entirely sure of the mental state of anyone in this movie, except maybe the little boy. He is actually probably the most sane person in the whole movie. Also the movie takes place in divided Berlin during the cold war, which is a very important piece of symbolism. I don't want to describe the plot too much, because I really, really want people to see this movie. The second half is where things get really crazy, although people's tempers get calmer... sort of. I will say that the most important part of this movie is symbolism of division, two halves, pairs, etc. You will pick up on that, but I love the way it is implemented, with the Berlin Wall in the background. I am going to probably post another article breaking down the symbolism of the movie at a later date after I watch it a few more times. The movie remains very engaging, keeping you guessing. I think this movie had me saying "wtf" as much or more than anything else I have watched this month, but in a good way. If you are expecting gore or violence, just stick around until the second half, I promise you wont be disappointed.

Contemplate the nature of duality of the film with a good ol' Black and Tan.

1 Can of Guinness
1 Can of Bass
A Guinness glass
A spoon

Tilt the glass and pour in the Bass first, fill it to half way. Set the glass up straight hold the spoon over the mouth of the glass, upside-down. Pour the Guinness over the upside spoon, slowly. This disperses the Guinness and lets it float on top of the lighter-colored beer. Let it settle, you should have the dark floating above the light. As you drink, muse over the ying and the yang, male and female, light and dark. Try not to freak out either.

Review: Mark of the Devil

Mark of the Devil (1970)

Corrupt witch-finders terrorize an English village during the height of witch hunting days. This is a classic witch hunting movie with plenty of gruesome torture. While most of the superstitious paranoia in this movie remains effectively disturbing, some of the absurdity of the (like believing marionettes are tools of the devil) is played for laughs. Over all I'd say its on par with The Conqueror Worm, and although this one lacks Vincent Price there are some good performances here, the character Albino being especially memorable. Also, I recognized a lot of the audio from this movie from being sampled in the album  Dopethrone by Electric Wizard. I really enjoy this type of movie, there is something really stylish about them that I dig, not really sure what that says about me psychologically...