Popcorn for One: Fear (20232)

 Caught Fear (2023) in the theater today. A few jump scares and a slow build-up to the crazy last act.

A group of old friends meets at a rustic lodge for a belated birthday and the hoped-for marriage proposal of one couple. One of them, an author working on his next book, is aware of some of the history of the area and the lodge but doesn't tell the others. Some of them begin to see things and they also learn of an airborne virus rapidly spreading.

This works on the paranoia many folks felt during the pandemic and hints are dropped that this is taking place in the early days of Covid, but that virus is never mentioned by name.

Decent film but more of a character study of people caught in a situation where they begin to distrust each other, while the entity works on the fears and phobias that each of the has.

Some gore with decent practical effects but the entity when we finally see it is CGI and nothing we haven't seen before. No spoiler, but I half expected Venom to appear, if you know what I mean.

Can't give it more than a 6 out of 10. If you care enough by the end of the film, there is a mid-credit scene. Again, about what you'd expect from this kind of movie.

By the way, I walked in on the last 10 minutes of Infinity Pool (2023) and was so disturbed that I'm not sure I want to see the entire film. It is by Brandon Cronenberg and, like his father, his work is made to shock and disturb.

 

Remote Viewing: Terror Train & Terror Train 2 (2022)

 Did a double-feature yesterday, to gear up for my meeting with the OC Horror Fans. Watched both Terror Train & Terror Train 2 (both in 2022).

In the first film we learn that during a fraternity hazing gone wrong, a young pledge suffers a breakdown and is institutionalized. Three years later the same students, who caused the incident, have rented a train for a Halloween party. A series of murders occur and questions come up over who the murderer might be.

Terror Train 2 takes place a little more than a year later when survivors of the first tragedy rent the same train to celebrate New Year's Eve and attempt to put the past behind them. Over the past year, some of those who survived have dealt with the murders better than others. Some are trying to heal while others seem to bear grudges, blaming one another for what happened.

Almost all of the lead actors who appeared in the first film reappear in the sequel and I wonder if they were filmed back to back, given the release date and availability of the cast. In one scene one returning character says to another that she had thought he had been killed the year before. If you had seen the first film you'd not be surprised as it was pretty much implied that he had not made it.

Not great films but both have their moments, with a lot of gore and decent practical effects. Personally, I think the second film is actually better with some returning characters given nice scenes where they confront each other.

For me, the real murderer was easier to guess in the first film, about three-quarters through, but I didn't guess in the second film until it actually was revealed.

Fun films that will take up about three hours of your time. Slashers that you really can't take seriously. 

Remote Viewing: Possession (1981, Franch/West Germany)

 Saw Possession (1981, France/West Germany) last night with a half dozen members of OC Horror Fans. Met at a member's home as we try to do each month.

During the Cold War, Mark (Sam Neil) appears to be some sort of agent and has just returned from an assignment. He finds that his wife, Anna (Isabelle Adjani) wants a divorce as she is having an affair. Custody of their son Bob is an issue. Anna's behavior becomes more disturbing and we discover that it may be more than mental issues. Mark also appears to be coming unhinged.

Really disturbing and unusual, with some of the oddest characters you'll ever see. I'm not really sure what the intent of director/screenwriter Andrzej Zulawski was here, as it is more psychological drama than horror, although there are scenes that top many horror films I've seen.

A lot of the film involves Mark and Anna screaming at each other while destroying their apartment. There is one scene in a restaurant where Mark really goes berserk. The dialogue between the characters almost never sounds like natural conversation, often accompanied by the most bizarre physical actions which the other characters rarely comment upon.

Considering everything else the nudity and sex, except in one scene are almost secondary to the dialogue reaction of other characters. I have to admit that while disturbing there are a couple of scenes that are actually funny, although I'm unsure of the director's intent.

Also, while not stated outright the situation in the divided Berlin at the time is an underlying theme. Scenes often open with a shot of East German guards, on the Wall, appearing to watch events with binoculars.

There is a 'creature' that appears later in the film that changes during several scenes and is a great practical effect creation. It will make you uncomfortable in almost every scene in which it is shown. The scene of Anna returning from shopping as she goes through a subway tunnel (revealed to be a flashback) seems to go on for several minutes and is a pretty amazing piece of acting. Very disturbing.

Not a film that I can recommend, as its two-hour length can drag at times, but it is an interesting work with everyone seeming to be doing their best. A bit dated and the ending certainly marks it as a demonstration of the fears of the era and those who were there.

Remote Viewing: Mr. Midnight: Beware the Monsters (2022, Singapore)

 Based on a series of horror storybooks aimed at tweens, created by author James Lee. There are currently over 130+ titles in the series, so I have a feeling that ghostwriters (no pun) are involved in writing some of the stories.

Four teenagers are living in the town of Tanah Merah, in Singapore. Three of them have grown up together and created a 'supernatural' vlog, when actual supernatural events begin to occur a new exchange student joins them. It also appears that one of them, Tyar has acquired growing powers and become the focus of both good and evil entities. Looking for further information they create an adult character, Mr. Midnight as the 'host' of their new vlog.

Much like the Scooby gang the four characters have different personalities and are trying to understand what is happening around them as creatures begin appearing in their town. Each episode has a new demon or mystery to deal with, while the mystery of why Tyar was chosen to have new abilities continues.

According to some sources, the Mr. Midnight series has actually outsold Harry Potter in the Asian market, where the books take place. The first attempt to turn the books into a film was announced back in 2015, but it was never begun as the author did not like the direction in which the filmmakers were going.

This is the first season of the Netflix series. Actually filmed where much of the action occurs makes it a nice change. Also, you get a look at a different culture and folklore.

Not great, but fun if you keep in mind the audience at which it's aimed. Tweens and teens shouldn't have any problems, as there is no actual gore. Parents probably should watch it first as you know your kids. Nice makeup and mostly practical effects. R. L. Stine fans will enjoy this.

 

Remote Viewing: Pressure Cooker on Netflix

 After a recommendation from family (thanks to Brandenn Chaffee), I checked out Pressure Cooker, a new cooking/reality show over on Netflix. I binged the eight episodes the past two days.

No celebrity chefs or judges in this one. Eleven professional chefs move in over a matter of a couple of weeks living together and competing. Except for two of the meals (one for family members and one for food critics), the chefs are judged by each other. Voting one chef off after tasting the meals. Unlike Master Chef Australia, where the competitors have to face the person they are voting off, here the ballots are secret until the final meal.

I was surprised how some of these folks lied and betrayed each other as the series went on. Alliances were made in one episode and the backstabbing began in the next. In that way, it reminded me of Hell's Kitchen.

Can't say I ever learn anything from these shows, even though they deal with cooking. I've only seen MC Australia do episodes, where they have the two chefs, create several dishes, often including a cocktail and dessert, step by step in a "master class".

I'd like to see this picked up for further seasons. 

Remote Viewing: Battle Royale (2000, Japan)

 I've heard about Battle Royale (2000, Japan) for years, but had never gotten around to watching it. Based on a novel by Koushun Takami, it also spawned several manga series and a second film: Battle Royale II: Requiem (2002). That was an original screenplay but picks up three years after the first film. An American remake and a TV series were announced at one time, but never produced.

The Japanese government has been taken over by fascist politicians, who feel that teenagers are not respectful enough to their elders. To discourage this each year a group of Ninth graders is selected at random, sent to a once-inhabited island for three days and only one survivor is allowed to leave. The students are given no choice with neck collars placed on them which not only track them but can explode if rules are not followed. Each student is given a bag, with some food and water, and one other item. Some of these are weapons and others are random items that might be helpful.

We see how each of the students reacts to the situation, with some attempting to simply survive, while others are more than happy to take part and ensure their own survival. The main story is occasionally halted and we get a flashback or dream sequence involving one or more of the characters. These give a better understanding of why certain characters act in a certain manner.

The book and film were impactful on later projects in all forms of media. Several YA book series and movies (i.e. Hunger Games) were seen by some as rip-offs or homages to Takami's work.

Extremely gory and sometimes overly sentimental. I was only able to see the dubbed version on Pluto TV, which also has additional footage from the Special Edition release. I'm not sure if the ending scene I saw is from the original theatrical release or the Special Edition.

  

Remote Viewing: The Circle, Season Five (Netflix) US Version

 Once again, The Circle on Netflix has me hooked. This is the fifth season of the American version. One of those reality shows, but this with a social media hook. The participants can only contact each other through text messages via the internal system. They try to make alliances and every few days rate each other with lower-scored players sometimes being eliminated.

As with social media, they don't even have to play as themselves, setting up fake accounts with photos of the person they are playing. I never knew the term 'catfish' until I started watching this show. This is my guilty pleasure viewing.

This season has a player who is deaf and uses an ASL interpreter to play the game, though he can only translate for her and not take an active role. She's playing as herself and is such a sweetheart.