It’s pretty astonishing how much story Francesco Calabrese is able to tell and establish in just eight minutes. “The Shift” is both a horror film and a meta-film at once, exploring a very picturesque scene draped in pure terror. “The Shift” is set in the sixties. Or at least, the neighborhood we view looks very much of its time and Betty has just decided that it’s the sixties. In either case, all is not serene when we fade in to “The Shift.” When Joe returns home from work, he is knocked out awakens to find the ginger haired beauty Betty awaiting him.
Phobia (2013)
It’s interesting that director Rory Abel’s horror drama “Phobia” works on various levels. As a movie about a man dealing with the trauma of a horrible accident that left him an agoraphobe, “Phobia” works. I found much of the material involving agoraphobia to be very compelling, and often very suffocating. Director Abel is able to convey a shockingly accurate depiction of agoraphobia, with actor Michael Jefferson giving a remarkable turn as a man confined to his two story brown stone. It’s when the movie transforms in to a more supernatural thriller is where it falters.
ABCs of Death 2 (2014)
I had a real fondness for “ABC’s of Death,” mainly because it was so bold and creative, even when it was very polarizing. Sure there were junky segments like “M is for Miscarriage,” but it was a fun experiment, overall. I’d love to think of “ABC’s of Death 2” as a home run, but it’s a poor follow-up. Much of the segments have something of a self-importance this time around, and the more compelling shorts are few and far between. The tonal inconsistencies are just about gone this time around, but that also leaves the film feeling oddly monotonous. I found myself counting the minutes rather than really enjoying the segments and experience, which is sad considering there’s prime talent behind this project.
As I mentioned, the terrible segments just outweighed the good, and took down what should have been a great follow up. Some of the worst segments of the bunch include “C is for Capital Punishment,” an abrupt and rushed thriller about a man accused of murder in a small town, “Deloused” which seemed like random imagery and nonsense in a stop motion aesthetic, and “Equilibrium” which felt downright misogynistic. Not to mention it went on way too long just to get to the punch line. “Invincible” from Erik Matti is downright irritating, while “Youth” and “Zygote” felt like sanctimonious social commentary without much of a point. I’m all for horror with substance, but horror that’s actually menacing and leading in to something.
Among my favorites though was Evan Katz’s hilarious and sick “Amateur,” the utterly hilarious “Badger” from Julian Barrett, and the creepy approach to tentacle porn “Torture Porn” from the Soska Sisters. Vincenzo Natali provides audiences with a creepy short entitled “Utopia” about the perfect society, while “Knell” is a creepy silent short about the end of the world and one girl witnessing it all. “Masticate” from Robert Boocheck is a funny short with a great surprise ending, while “Falling” is a neat tale about irony and war time. I also shockingly loved Steven Kostanski’s “Wish” about two boys warped in to their favorite universe in the vein of “He-Man” and find out how utterly barbaric it is.
My two favorite segments that made “The ABC’s of Death 2” so worth the money spent is Juan Martinez Moreno’s excellent “Split,” about a young woman who is stalked by a hammer wielding maniac while her husband listens over the phone. The surprise ending is just genius. “Vacation” is pure dark comedy and madness personified as director Jerome Sable sets on a young man talking to his girlfriend over a phone cam during a vacation with his best friend. When his friend yanks the phone, he shows how the mundane getaway is anything but. I really wish I’d have appreciated “The ABC’s of Death 2” as much as the original. While there are a slew of talented filmmakers on board for the follow-up, the segments just lack variety and innovation resulting in a humdrum sequel.
Witch’s Night Out (1978) (DVD)
John Leach’s “Witch’s Night Out” is a cute, if crudely drawn, Halloween classic that was long thought obscure for a while. Mill Creek releases the odd animated movie on DVD and suffice it to say in spite of its simplistic style, it’s a fun Halloween adventure. Brother and sister Small and Tender spend their night trick or treating, and find that their Halloween has all but stunk. Angered and disillusioned, they ready for bed with their babysitter Bazooey doting over them. Just then the powerful Witch (as played by Gilda Radner) hears their wishes to be actual ghosts and werewolves for Halloween. She interrupts their wishes, and decides to grant them their hearts desire to become Halloween monsters. Despite Bazooey’s protests, the witch appeals to his child hood dreams, and turns him in to a Frankenstein monster.
Tiny Toons’ Night Ghoulery (1995)
One of the many aspects of Warner animation from the nineties is their ability to recall classic television and cinema, while also entertaining their target audience. How can you not love a Tiny Toons Halloween special that includes references to Rod Serling, Abbot and Costello, and “Duel”? “Night Ghoulery” is thankfully about as funny as the “Tiny Toons” has ever been, and when they were on, they could really inspire some raucous laughter. Their brand of wacky and clever comedy set them apart from their Looney Tunes predecessors, allowing them to form their own niche, and it was successful to say the least. “Night Ghoulery” is an anthology of tales involving the Tiny Toons with narration by Babs Bunny, who takes on the visage of Rod Serling. Spoofing “Night Gallery,” the one hour special gives us a ton of really funny gags and in jokes that (even if kids don’t understand them) are still hysterical.
TV Guide Spotlight: TV’s Spookiest Halloween Episodes (DVD)
Mill Creek Entertainment comprises five hours worth of Halloween episodes from some of their flagship sitcoms, and though it’s a mixed bag, it’s also a fun treat for the holiday. For folks that want to ring in Halloween without the gruesome horror entertainment, you’ll find some really great specials here, some of which I’ve seen at least a hundred times over. I can’t imagine a better greatest hits DVD for families this year. Featured on the DVD is the season two episode of “Roseanne” entitled “Boo!” where the Conner family rings in Halloween, while Roseanne and Dan wage a prank war on one another to see who is best at gruesome and funny pranks. This is a hysterical one shot for the series, and it was never quite topped.
The “News Radio” episode entitled “Halloween” from season three is equal parts funny and weird. When the staff isn’t invited to their boss Jimmy’s famous Halloween party for being killjoys, they decide to get in to the spirit. Meanwhile boss Dave upsets girlfriend Lisa by wearing her dress as a costume, as Phil falls for an old woman at the party. It’s a fun episode that the writers are never afraid to be surreal with. The “Married with Children” episode from season eight is entitled “Take My Wife, Please.” It’s a play on the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” where Al wishes he were dead and is visited by the Grim Reaper who resembles Peg, much to his horror. On “Bewitched,” the episode “A Safe and Sane Halloween” finds Samantha and Darrin getting a normal mortal Halloween with daughter Tabatha, who brings to life three monsters from a Halloween book. “I Dream of Jeannie” features the episode “My Master, The Ghost Breaker” where Tony inherits a mansion that is said to be haunted, not realizing the former help and the lawyer of the estate are trying to scare him out of ownership.
“The Jeffersons” two part episode “Now You See It, Now You Don’t” George competes with Tom and Ellen as comedy icons for Halloween, while putting up with the landlord’s rotten children. Meanwhile, Louise accidentally witnesses a man in a bunny costume murder someone on the street, prompting everyone to believe Louise was hallucinating. When he turns up, he seeks to kill Louise and silence her. The “Square Pegs” episode titled “Halloween XII” finds characters Patty and Lauren invited to a Halloween party with the popular crowd only to find they’re being terrorized by someone outside, intent on ruining their night. The season five episode of “The Facts of Life” features the group horrified to find out Mrs. Garrett’s bakery was once the home of a vicious crime scene, and they soon begin to worry she might be possessed by the ghost of a serial killer. “The Cosby Show” episode “Halloween” features the Huxtables trying to outdo one another with unique costumes, while Vanessa tries to build the courage to talk to a boy during a party.
On “Mad About You” the episode “Unplanned Child” finds Paul and Jamie having to babysit his ten year old nephew. Jamie has to take him trick or treating though when Paul is held up at work editing a film. The “3rd Rock” episode “Scaredy Dick” sees character Dick running out of a medical appointment, while Sally and Tommy house sit and try to thwart trick or treaters from egging the house. There’s the “Ned and Stacey” episode “The Halloween Story,” in which a costume mix up causes Ned and Stacey to make out. Finally, The Halloween episode of “That 70’s Show” features the group visiting an abandoned school to tell ghost stories but when they find their old permanent records secrets begin to rise to the surface, Fez is astonished by the concept of Halloween, and Kitty thinks back to the Halloween when she found out she was going to be a mother. It’s a hilarious book end to a fun compilation.
Mostly Ghostly: Have You Met My Ghoulfriend? (2014)
“Have you Met My Ghoulfriend?” comes off like it’s the fourth film in a movie series, when it seems to only have come after the somewhat bland “Mostly Ghostly” from 2008. Only Madison Pettis comes back for the follow-up, which involves a pair of ghostly teenagers, their human friend with a ghoul fighting ring, and an evil ghoul named Phears intent on consuming their souls, or possessing them, or–something to that effect.