Tag Archives: Saturday is Horror Day

Saturday is Horror Day #210 – Glorious

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Glorious

After a painful break-up, Wes (Ryan Kwanten) hits the road as well as the bottle. Finding a remote rest area, Wes tries to get the only candy bar from an antiquated vending machine but is thwarted. A strange woman observes him and helps him retrieve the errant candy, offering him some strange advice – to clear out his back seat so he can sleep horizontally. The intoxicated Wes heeds her advice and gathers all the stuff by a fire pit, where he burns it. Satisfied, he heads into the rest area and promptly gets sick in one of two stalls.

Thinking he is alone, as there were no other cars in the lot, Wes is startled to hear a voice (J.K. Simmons)

coming from the other stall. Wes isn’t exactly in the mood for conversation, but the voice is persistent and even sympathetic.  All Wes wants to do is get his girl back, not trade life stories with a strange in a men’s room. Thinking there is something off about this strange man in the stall, Wes tries to leave but finds himself locked in.  The voice introduces himself as Ghat, and he has something important to tell Wes. He says Wes being there is no accident, and they have important business that needs to be taken care of together. In fact, the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

This film is most definitely unusual and very Lovecraftian in nature and does take place entirely inside a bathroom. And yet it manages to keep you guessing about what is really going on, who or what is Ghat, and how is Wes going to get out of this place intact? Is that even possible? And what’s going on with that glory hole? You might remember Ryan Kwanten from True Blood – he played Sookie’s crazy brother Jason Stackhouse. And everyone knows and loves J.K. Simmons.  Even though we never see him, just hearing his recognizable voice is enough to picture him.  Wes has to deal with his own demons, both literally and figuratively, and the outcome is never certain until the very end. It’s a short film but I think it’s definitely worth watching. I’ll rate this film between 3.5 and 4 Stars, mostly because of J.K.Simmons.

Saturday is Horror Day #209 – The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake


Anthropologist Jonathan Drake (Eduard Franz) has a recurring nightmare about shrunken heads. He believes that the men in his family are cursed because of a longstanding feud with a tribe of South American Indians. Concerned about his only brother, Kenneth (Paul Cavanagh), he decides to visit him. But he arrives to find a funeral for his brother in progress! When he demands the coffin be opened, he is horrified to discover his brother’s head is missing!

Drake’s only child, Alison (Valerie French) is concerned about her father, as his Dr. Emil Zurich (Henry 


Daniell), a fellow anthropologist. The police are baffled, when they do bother to take the situation seriously. The investigation is being led by Police Lieutenant Jeff Rowan (Grant Richards). It quickly becomes clear that his interest in the case is primarily due to the presence of Alison. One night, her father is attacked and seems to be dead. But closer inspection shows this is no natural happening, but a poisoning! It’s a race against time to learn what has happened to Drake. When it is discovered to be curare, the investigation is turned in a completely different direction. Now Drake’s life is even more on the line than before, although they are no closer to discovering the person behind this series of events. A possible hypothesis was disregarded as preposterous but they might have to consider it now!

 

Before I discuss the film itself, there are factors to take into consideration. First, it was made in 1959, 


and it looks it. Black and white (not a problem for me, sometimes adds to the ambience of a horror film). The acting is indicative of the time. Not that it’s bad, but stiffer than we might be used to now. Also, the writing. Naturally, it is not gory, and any violence, including heads being sliced off, are off screen. That being said, that could have been a little more smoothly.  There is a character named Zutai, who belongs to the same South American tribe and resembles a living shrunken head, with rather gruesome makeup. Charles Gemora did not only the makeup for the film, but also designed and sculpted the shrunken heads.

It was probably pretty scary back in the day. I didn’t find it frightening, but I thought it was interesting to watch. Two of the actors were well known and very well respected, Eduard Franz and Henry Daniell). I have seen both in other things, especially Daniell. I think he does horror well. That being said, no, not a great film, but something a little different in the horror genre. How often do you see shrunken heads as the subject of a film? Beetlejuice doesn’t count, although that was a great shrunken head! I’ll give this film 2.75 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #208 – Berberian Sound Studio

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Berberian Sound Studio


Gilderoy (Toby Jones) is a British sound engineer hired to work on an Italian film he believes to be about horses, The Equestrian Vortex. But that illusion is quickly dispelled when he finds himself actually working on a horror film involving witches, priests, and torture. Not that either the producer, Francesco (Cosimo Fusco) or the director Santini (Antonio Mancino) will admit to that. In fact, Santini pompously proclaims it is not a horror film, it is a Santini film!

Things begin to go wrong from the outset. Gilderoy tries to be reimbursed for certain expenses he incurred on his way there, but is given the runaround. The room he was promised turns out to be a cubby hole within the studio. Uncomfortable with the film to begin with, Gilderoy’s only connection to reality are the letters from home he receives from his mother. But before long, the line between reality and film begin to become hopelessly blurred.

 

This film is probably not for everyone, but I found it very interesting, especially with the peek behind the scenes into the sound end of movie making. We never see the film that is being made, but we get a pretty good picture from what we hear. The various actors come to the studio to record their lines, and some to record unusual sounds that the characters make, such as a demon. I was fascinated to see what sorts of things were used to produce the sounds that correspond to what we see on the screen.  For example, someone being drowned was made by swishing clothing around in a tub of water. Gilderoy stabbs heads of cabbage to imitate a stabbing in the film. 

 

I’ll admit that while the concept is unique, the delivery is somewhat flawed and at times confusing. Gilderoy undergoes a transformation from the timid little man he was at the beginning of the film, but it isn’t really clear why he changes as he does, or why this horror film that everyone says isn’t a horror film affects him so. The ending itself it ambiguous and I had to look up an explanation. Still, I found it a very interesting film and I think it won’t disappoint. I’ll give this film 3.75 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #207 – Mind Body Spirit

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Mind Body Spirit


Anya (Sarah J. Bartholomew)  has moved away from home, into the house left to her by a Russian grandmother she was never able to meet. Her mother Lenka (Anna Knigge) thinks this is a bad idea and urges Anya to return home. But the aspiring yoga influencer sees the move as a way to make her mark, assert her independence, and maybe learn something about her roots.

 

 

Anya discovers a secret door that leads up to an attic filled with strange things. But there she finds an old journal that was written by her grandmother Verasha – and it says it is for Anya. Anya is thrilled and begins to read, although only about half of it is in English, the rest in Russian. She realizes that if she follows the steps as outlined by her grandmother, she will find unity and enlightenment within herself.

 

Anya’s childhood friend Kenzi (Madi Bready) is also a fitness influencer, although Anya is just starting out. Kenzi agrees to mentor Anya, and they shoot some guest appearances together, although Anya doesn’t post them right away. But then strange things begin to happen, and Anya begins to question what her grandmother’s journal really says.

 

This found footage film isn’t exactly horrifying, and it’s certainly not gory, but there is something disturbing about it nonetheless. Especially with Anya’s naivete through the whole film. I figured out what was going on pretty early and kept shaking my head at her questionable choices. Even so, there is an unease and uncertainty as to how events will play out, laced with the occasional jump scare. I think the cast did a great job of portraying their characters, and the story was solid. Definitely worth the watch, and only about 70 minutes long. I’ll give this film 4 Stars.

Incident in a Ghostland

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Incident in a Ghostland

A new home often means a new life. And that is the hope of Pauline (Mylene Farmer) as she and her two daughters, Vera (Taylor Hickson) and Beth (Emilia Jones) move into a house left by Pauline’s aunt. The sisters seem to be total opposites, Beth being an introvert whose only wants to write, and Vera being louder and more outspoken. Vera resents their mother for what she perceives as her preferential treatment of Beth. They stop in town before going to the house and there they learn that there is someone who is killing families – and leaving the daughters alive for their own purposes. Great way to start a new life!

They arrive at the house and find that it is creepy, with strange and unusual dolls everywhere. But before they can even get settled in their new home, the three women find themselves fighting for their lives against two strange intruders.

Sixteen years pass, and Beth receives an emergency call from Vera to come back to the house immediately.  She returns to find Vera a self-contained prisoner in the basement, unable to get past what happened to her, despite their mother’s best efforts to help her. Once they are reunited, the sisters find themselves once more battling to save their lives.

This film is definitely a psychological drama with plenty of twists and turns. First, there is what happened during the original attack, which is certainly scarring on its own. Then what happens later. However, what you see isn’t necessarily what you get. There are definite twists and turns in this story, but it’s also confusing. And I felt it was almost a story in search of a plot. Maybe some background as to the aunt who previously owned the house would have been helpful. Or more character development of the girls and their mother. I am still not entirely sure what happened, even after watching the whole thing. I’ll give this film 3 Stars. Watch at your own risk, but I would like to hear someone else’s take on it.

Saturday is Horror Day #205 – Possum

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Possum

Philip (Sean Harris) is a disgraced children’s puppeteer. He returns to his childhood home, scene of much trauma, and has to deal with his past, including the uncle who raised him, Maurice (Alun Armstrong). Philip has a bag which he always carries. It contains a massive puppet of a spider with a human face. Philip tries over and over to get rid of the puppet, but finds himself unable to do so. When a heinous accusation is made against him, he has to face the truth, even if that involves unpleasant truths from his childhood.

Possum is something of a slow burn creepy film as opposed to one filled with jump scares and gore. I

found it clear that the puppet in the bag Philip always carried represented the trauma he couldn’t leave behind or get rid of, no matter how hard he tried. As did the closed room in the house that he refused to enter, no matter how many times his uncle taunted him to do so. This movie has to do with taking control of the past and coming to grips with it, with a bit of revenge thrown in for good matter. Sean Harris plays Philip, the tortured puppeteer. I had seen him previously in the Borgias, as their master assassin. I thought he did a good job of playing Philip, leaving me wondering if he had done anything he needed to regret or not.

The spider puppet is truly creepy, so kudos to the creator for that. So is the poem about Possum, the spider, which is recited throughout the film. Admittedly, this film won’t be for everyone. But if you are willing to pay attention and pick up on the cues, and understand its slow pace, you will be able to enjoy it. I’ll give this film 3.5 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #204 – The Angry Black Girl and her Monster

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Angry Black Girl and her Monster


Vicaria (Laya DeLeon Hayes) is a brilliant young girl who lives a difficult life in a poor and tough area of town. Violence and drugs are common. Vicaria has lost family members to death, and she is tired of it. She has a reputation for being typical, usually because she knows more than the teacher. After the death of her brother, Chris (Edem Atsu-Swanzy), Vicaria decides that enough is enough. She believes that death is a disease, and as such can be cured. It’s up to her to find that cure.

Chris left behind a pregnant girlfriend Aisha (Reilly Brooke Stith), and a grieving father (Chad L. 


Coleman). Vicaria studies hard to figure out a way to cure death, and she believes she has found the answer. Now she has to implement it. But she hasn’t taken into account how long her brother has been dead, and that seems to be a game changer.

This movie is an updated urban version of Frankenstein. Vicaria’s desire to conquer death is largely motivated by the circumstances in which she lives, and by the family she is slowly losing to death. Vicaria is played brilliantly by Laya DeLeon Hayes, and the supporting cast is great. I thought the film had a very interesting premise, and while I wanted Vicaria to succeed, I knew it couldn’t end well. 

 

I would have liked to see more of her relationship with her brother Chris, as this relationship lies at the heart of the film. But all we have is his dead body in the opening scene, with an angry Vicaria standing over it. Denzel Whitaker as the local drug dealer Kango was very good, although by the end I couldn’t hate him anymore. Her father was loving, but flawed as well, a weakness that Kango exploited.  All in all, I thought it was interesting, perhaps not perfect, but certainly entertaining. I’ll give this film 4 Stars.

 

Saturday is Horror Day #203 – Carnage for Christmas

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Carnage for Christmas

Lola (Jeremy Moineau) is a true crime podcaster. She decides to head home for the Christmas holidays, albeit rather uncertainly, as it’s been a long time and she knows that not everyone is accepting of her as a transwoman.  She stays with her sister, Danielle (Dominique Booth), who loves her dearly. Not so much so her roommate,  Riley (Olivia Deeble) who has nothing but snide remarks for her.

But then Riley and her girlfriend Kat  (Lewi Dawson) wind up dead. Lola didn’t expect to find herself in

the midst of a trail of murders that seem to mimic what happened to her as a child, when she was the one who discovered the body of a young victim. Nobody seems to believe her when she says it’s happening again,  and it’s time to search for the truth, but at what cost?

This film came out in 2024, and was only 70 minutes long, but I have to say I enjoyed watching it. I saw it described as Australia’s first transgender holiday horror, and that’s a pretty accurate description. The main character, Lola, is a very interesting and strong woman with a great smile and no-nonsense attitude. I loved how her sister is so caring and warm herself, accepting Lola completely for who she is.

Naturally there are people who don’t accept Lola, but she doesn’t let these assholes get to her. Even the cops are less than helpful and quick to dismiss her. But in the end, Lola shows them just what kind of woman she is. It’s nice to see films about transgender people played by transgender people. I’d like to see more of Jeremy Moineau in the future. I give this film 4 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #202 – The House That Dripped Blood

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The House That Dripped Blood

A seemingly harmless house for rent seems to be the catalyst for mysterious happenings.

Method for Murder:

Charles (Denholm Elliott) has a case of writer’s block, and the only cure is to take his wife Alice (Joanna

Durham) and get away from it all so he can get back to writing. They settle down to write in the house leased to them by agent AJ Stoker (John Bryans). Charles quickly immerses himself in his work about a serial killer named Dominick, who strangles his victims. Things are going well… until Charles begins to actually see Dominick. But that isn’t possible, is it? Dominick is just a character… or is he?

Waxworks:

Philip (Peter Cushing) has retired and decides to rent the house from Stoker. Searching for something to do, he comes across a waxwork museum, and becomes fascinated by the wax figure depicting Salome with the head of John the Baptist. But fascination turns to obsession, and them more…

Sweets to the Sweet:

Reid (Christopher Lee) brings his young daughter Jane (Chloe Franks) to the house. Deciding against   sending her to school, he engages a nanny/teacher, Ann (Nyree Dawn Porter). As Ann grows attached to Jane, she finds the man’s attitude toward his daughter to be rather harsh as well as stifling. But perhaps there is a reason why he does the things he does…

The Cloak:

Paul (Jon Pertwee) has made a career of playing vampires, but the new movie he has been cast in is less than inspiring. He makes fun of the cheap seat they’ve constructed to represent his castle, and the cloak they gave him is laughable. He decides to take matters into his own hands and ends up at a small costume shop. The proprietor sells him a much butter cloak at a ridiculously low price. But when Paul puts on the cloak, strange things begin to happen.

This anthology of four stories was made in 1970, and stars four well-known talented actors. Typical of its time, it relies less on blood and gore than on actual story and psychology. Not everything is what it appears to be, and figuring out the twist is fun. One of the writers of the film was Robert Bloch, whom you may remember as having given us Psycho. I liked all of the stories, but especially the last two. The story that binds these four concerns a Scotland Yard detective who is working on a missing persons case. There are no jump scares in this film, and perhaps it’s not terrifying, but it’s certainly entertaining and worth watching. I’ll give this film 3.75 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #201 – The Righteous

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Righteous

Frederic (Henry Czerny) and Ethel (Mimi Kuzyk) Mason have suffered a terrible loss in the death of their young daughter. A distraught Frederic questions why this has happened and goes to see his priest. Frederic also admits to certain difficulties in his marriage, although he loves his wife. The priest suggests perhaps he should return to the church – at one time, Frederic had been a priest. But Frederic dismisses that idea.

Later that night, while sitting alone in the dark, Frederic hears a noise outside. To his surprise, he discovers a young man lying on the ground, in pain and requesting help. Frederic is reluctant, but agrees to bring him first aid material. His concerned wife calls the police, but when Frederic returns to the young man, he finds him unconscious and carries him inside. By the time the police offer, Mary (Mayko Nguyen) arrives, Frederic claims – to his wife’s confusion – that the young man is a distant relative he hadn’t recognized at first and all is well.

Ethel is uneasy but Frederic assures her that all is well, although he doesn’t seem entirely sure himself. Rising in the middle of the night, he founds the young man, Aaron (Mark O’Brien) in the kitchen. Aaron asks for tea, so Frederic agrees, and they sit there together, talking of many things. Little does Frederic realize just how much his world is about to change.

This movie dates from 2021 and was shot in black-and-white, giving it an eerie almost gothic atmosphere. The excellent film score and direction adds to this, emphasizing the creepiness of the entire situation. The action is deliberately slow-paced and calculated to send shivers up and down your spine as you try to figure out what the heck is going on here. Twists and turns and revelations abound, along with in-depth discussion of life and religion, and the sins of the past. Definitely an interesting film. I’ll give it 4 Stars.