Shocktober Day 4: Children of the Corn

Children of the Corn (1984)

Though many consider Children of the Corn a bad film (I do) it’s a perfect example of Stephen King’s ability to world-build. Chew on this kernel, Children of the Corn has a made-for-TV-remake and SEVEN SEQUELS with another on the way! This was a short story with a strong enough concept to generate nine adaptations. A story short enough to fit in a 1977 issue of Penthouse. If that’s not the product of a talented mind I don’t know what is. It’s a shame not much of that talent translates to the screen.

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Shocktober Day 3: Jaws 3-D

Jaws 3-D (1983)

Some things aren’t built to last. Case in point: Jaws 3-D. But how did we get here? On June 20th, 1975, a film about a killer shark from a fledgling filmmaker was released. The film cost 9 million dollars and made 470 million dollars. Due to its action, suspense and high box office return, the film is known today as the first blockbuster.

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Shocktober Day 2: Cujo

Cujo (1983)

Two days into Shocktober and I’ve already broken my own rule. All of the films selected were supposed to be available on Netflix at the time of review. Yet Cujo was taken off yesterday. What evil force is working against me to talk about the story of a sweet young boy and a dog with rabies? Luckily, I watched the film before those Netflix fat cats ripped it from my cold bloody paws.

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Shocktober Day 1: The Legend of Hell House

The Legend of Hell House (1973)

I first saw The Legend of Hell House as boy on a tape recorded off of TV. Sounds bad and yet the film captivated me with its gothic setting and grandiose cinematography by Alan Hume (Return of the Jedi, A View to a Kill). But viewing the film today, I wonder if I convinced myself of these things to stay up late. So, let’s turn up the tracking and look for answers with The Legend of Hell House.

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Shocktober: Nightmare Flix

Do you have any idea how terrifying the prospect of watching 31 movies in 31 days is? How can anyone find the time to eat or sleep or dread the upcoming presidential election? Like passing through the gates of Hell, “Shocktober” is filled with evil, fear of the unknown, and a lot of half-assed two paragraph reviews. That’s why this year, we’re getting a little help from a guardian angel.

Netflix. How had I not thought of it sooner? All 31 days available at the click of a button! Gone are the days of visiting totally not illegal streaming sites and digging through dumpsters outside F.Y.E. Every single movie we watch will be readily available on everybody’s favorite streaming service. Or should I say “SCREAMING SERVICE!?!?” No, streaming service is better. Anyways, happy haunting everybody!

Shocktober Horrorble: Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser

Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser

Can you guys believe that we won’t get Transformers 5 until 2017? Yes, thankfully Michael Bay’s decision to try to pretend he’s respectable has him caught up making that hot button flick 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi. You go, Michael Bay, the world’s most overblown story deserves its most overblown director. But this left me with a quandary: what could I watch in 2015 for my semi-regular horrorble segment? After all, this was the first year John trusted me enough to make it a formal part of Shocktober, I didn’t want to let him down. So I gave myself a real challenge, the one type of movie I’m most afraid to review: a bad comedy. Maybe the worst.
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Shocktober Day 30: A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014)

I’m not sure if A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a horror movie. Then again, I’m not sure if its a drama, a romance, or a western either. A Girl Walks Home is such a smorgasbord of styles and ideas it might be all of those things. This is what makes it such a unique experience. Did I also mention it’s a B&W American film set in Iran and filmed completely in Persian? How could you not want to see it?

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