Well, another October is upon us. For those of you who've followed the blog for a while, you know that in our house that can only mean one thing. It's time for two months of horror movies!
Why two months?
Because we found we couldn't get our favorites in, plus new films, without starting in September!
This year we've already been through quite a few. There was one though, one special one that I've been saving, that I was looking forward to more than all the others. A movie that I've had on my short list for two years, knowing that my wife and daughter would get sucked in and simultaneously hate it.
That movie is Battle Royale (2000).
Battle Royale tells the story of a ninth grade class who are beyond saving. It seems kids just don't respect their elders the way they used to, so society passed the BR Act. As kids make their way through the school levels, the worst and most disrespectful get sorted to a very special class. At the end of their ninth grade year, this class is drugged and sent to an uninhabited island in the Sea of Japan. There, they are each given food, water, a map, and one weapon. They're also fitted with fashionable shock collars that will explode if they break any of the rules. Over the next three days, they must hunt each other or die themselves. The only remaining survivor will be allowed off the island.
Now, why would I be looking forward to showing this as opposed to any other horror film? It's simple actually. As you've probably guessed from reading the blog, they're pretty obsessed with Japanese pop culture. Anyone whose seen Battle Royale knows that rule number one is not to get attached to any of the characters. By definition of the rules, you only have a 1 in 42 chance of picking the winner. Remember how they hated Train to Busan because so many people die? This is like that one on steroids!
So two nights ago, we fired up a double feature of Cabin in the Woods (Lil and Karen's pick) and Battle Royale. First I was surprised how well these two movies go together. On the surface, they definitely have the same "bones" as far as their respective stories. Without spoiling Cabin in the Woods for the handful of people reading this that haven't seen it, let's just say that the circumstances surrounding the protagonists have eerily similar set ups.
That said, all of my anticipation did not have the payoff I'd hoped for. Mostly, there was mild complaining.
Karen: This movie has absolutely no plot whatsoever!
Karen: I do like the guy who shouts everything. I'm going to start doing that. Just yelling out what I want everyone to do.
For the most part, Lil stayed quiet. When it was all said and done, I asked what they thought. Karen's complaint stayed the same. No plot until the last 20 minutes or so and then you understand just who you should be rooting for.
I looked to Lil for something, anything that would tell me that deep down, she really did like it but didn't want to admit it. Instead, she just stared back and then said everything I needed to know.
Lil: I REALLY did hate that.
Yes! And she'll be asking to see it again in few years.
Of the ones we've seen so far, here are the winners and losers.
Winners (as voted on by everyone)
Monster on the Campus
The Thing From Another World
It Came From Beneath The Sea
Momsy, Nonny, Sonny and Girly (Thanks to Mike and Lynn and The Annual 24-Hour Film Fest for introducing me to this one.)
The Grudge (American version)
The Cabin in the Woods
Dracula (1931)
Slither
Rosemary's Baby (Based on the conversation alone, I'd say this has been Karen's favorite so far this year.)
Dr. Terror's House of Horrors
Piranha 3-D
Cat People
Attack of the Crab Monsters
Winners (Cary only)
The Masque of the Red Death
Battle Royale
Losers
The Woman Eater (Too much talking. Not enough woman eating.)
Gigantis: The Fire Monster (This is a repackaging of Godzilla Raids Again that was marketed to American audiences. The narration is laughable at first, then really annoying. Stay away from this one and watch the subtitled Toho version)
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