Halloween Horror Marathon 2014: Horror Soundtracks in Broad Daylight are Just Awkward

Man, this is nuts!! Just past the halfway point of the month, and I can guarantee that last year's record will be broken. And I haven't even had to fall back on Youtube or Hulu yet!!

It's becoming more widely known amongst people that know me that I do this every year, and the result is that many have and will make suggestions. I *LOVE* this!! It means that the people reading this are paying enough attention to know what titles are most likely unfamiliar to me! It means that people are reading this shit!!!! I can't thank you enough if you are. Keep those suggestions coming, and don't be afraid to go mainstream. Most of this stuff no one's ever heard of outside of the production teams that made it and no longer talk about it until a relative asks about "that movie you guys were making" at the Thanksgiving table--where all regrets resurface.

Exhibit A. The shame is palpable...

Anyhoo, let's get into it!

• No Prior knowledge of the movie
• No investigation into the movie
• I have to have never seen it OR not seen it recently enough to form an opinion
• Once the credits start (or I pass the 1:30 min. mark), there is NO TURNING BACK...
• No David DeCoteau movies
• And...*The Netflix Roulette Gambit* - After 10 movies, give the wheel a spin. Whatever unfamiliar title it lands on, I have to watch it

Let's see how deep the rabbit hole goes this time...

And Now for Something Completely Different...and Awesome!!

From time to time, I keep my mouth shut on certain matters out of...well, several reasons. Disgust, annoyance, apathy, distraction...any of a litany of responses, and that's why I've had nothing much to say about "Gamergate." The whole thing is just thinly-veiled misogyny from impotent man-children overreacting to a non-existent attack on the medium they grew up with. The thing is...We all did. Video games are a part of the culture that resonated with people across the board, not just the guys you grew up with. And while I could spiral into a tangent about the fetishization of the geek girl as a corollary, that's just a symptom of a problem that I don't even feel like addressing.

The very existence of this sock-puppet makes the case that you are, folks.

So why am I writing this? Because I feel like there hasn't been nearly enough focus on the positive things that the gaming community at large can do and is continuing to do in the wake of what is truly insipid and dishonest bullshit. And one in particular is taking place within days of my typing these words!

Story time!! A couple of weeks ago, I had the wild hair up my ass to throw a small get-together for friends to finally get a chance to play Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. As the only person in my immediate circle of friends to finish the game, I wanted to share that experience with them. So, I proposed a day that we would devote to running through the entire game from start to finish. And these people were up for it!! I set up a Facebook event, sent invites, and we were good to go. Then, as I was about to go watch the season premiere of The Walking Dead with some of these fine people like apparently EVERYONE IN AMERICA, I watched a video on Youtube with an ad before it. Ordinarily, this would be annoying...but this was different. I don't even remember the actual word selection, but the idea spoke to me immediately!

Extra Life began in 2008 when a small group of gamers pooled their resources in an effort to make a difference in a little girl's life. Those efforts expanded within a year's time as they went on to raise money for a Children's Miracle Network Hospital in their area, over $300,000 to be exact, by playing video games for 24 hours to raise awareness and sponsorship. Since then, that group has expanded into a worldwide community of like-minded individuals as thousands of gamers, over 100 websites, and donors across the globe have joined in to help or show their support for CMN Hospitals near and far. To date, Extra Life has raised over $10 million in the aid of ailing children and their families. The best part...these efforts are still growing. That's where my friends and I come in!

When I learned about this, my interest was instantly piqued. That little get-together with a handful of friends suddenly became an opportunity to do something great, so that's what we're doing!

Never has my use of this image been as inspired...

The importance of the cause truly speaks for itself! By taking part in Extra Life, we have a chance to help kids dealing with injuries, cancer, cystic fibrosis, and every other ailment in between. I've always been of the mentality that if you can lend a helping hand, then there's no reason why you shouldn't. So, we formed "Team TNT" and started planning and restructuring. I owe my friends EVERYTHING for their endless support (especially you, JJ--check out his blog if you haven't already!!), and we're not only set to stream, but we've raised some money and a little awareness along the way!

You can find out more by following the links to Extra Life I've peppered this post with (holy shit, that sentence...). If you're interested in our efforts specifically, you can find us here:

http://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=18946

There is no set amount that you have to give. If you've only got $5 to spare, that $5 still goes a long way. And you can always share the information about Extra Life and their efforts!

I'll post the link to the stream here on the day of the event. Until then...?

...I'm aping OSW's sign-off.

Halloween Horror Marathon 2014: Wait, Who the Hell is Filming THIS!?

One week into October, and we've got 35 movies under our belts. And along this road to self-discovery, I've learned that jump-scares only make me blurt out laughter. I've also learned that IFC Films has been putting in a LOT of work in the horror genre, and the results are about exactly what you'd expect. Every studio that gets into horror movies is bound to have an output that pretty much reflects the genre as a whole. A few winners but a shit-loads of losers. I'd say that makes them a pretty solid addition of the fold. Welcome to the party, guys!

As this journey continues, ideas are hitting me for future endeavors as far as reflections on this genre are concerned. Yes, I will definitely compile lists of the best and worst. Yes, the best list will include ironic choices to be enjoyed with family and friends. But the biggest undertaking may be another year away. Stay tuned for that one. In the meantime, a quick reminder of the rules...

• No Prior knowledge of the movie
• No investigation into the movie
• I have to have never seen it OR not seen it recently enough to form an opinion
• Once the credits start (or I pass the 1:30 min. mark), there is NO TURNING BACK...
• No David DeCoteau movies
• And...*The Netflix Roulette Gambit* - After 10 movies, give the wheel a spin. Whatever unfamiliar title it lands on, I have to watch it

Let's hope this website doesn't make me hate it enough to punch it in its nonexistent face...

Halloween Horror Marathon 2014: I stand before you a man transformed...Mostly because I'm sitting.

So, 3 years and running, and I have to say that I've learned a thing or two to show for it all. Let's just say that my sensibilities and grasp has definitely expanded. The truth is every single one of these movies from best to worst has been and can be fun. Not in a "Wait until I get _____ to sit through this shit" kinda way (that I reserve for Tyler Perry movies), but as an experience. It is what you make of it, and while I definitely won't recommend EVERYTHING I watch (If you're a single woman that lives alone who would watch The Sentinel with OR without me, I might marry you), I will say that you can enjoy yourself with the right approach. Bear that in mind as you power through the coming list as I powered each of these movies. The rules are as always...

No Prior knowledge of the movie

No investigation into the movie

I have to have never seen it OR not seen it recently enough to form an opinion

Once the credits start (or I pass the 1:30 min. mark), there is NO TURNING BACK...

And, of course...No David DeCoteau movies

This year, however, I'm adding a NEW rule...which is starting to seem like an annual thing. I promise it's not, but with the introduction of Netflix Roulette into my world, how could I not put this to use in this setting? So, I've decided that for every 5th movie (or 10th, depending on my progress this go 'round) I will give the Roulette wheel a spin. If it lands on something I've never seen within 3 tries, I'll watch it. So...

• The Netflix Roulette Gambit - Whatever unfamiliar title it lands on, I have to watch it

Alright, here we go.

If you know where this comes from, I'm sorry. I know. I saw it too...

Halloween Horror Marathon 2013: This is No Place for Techno Music...

*Note*-- As a lead-in to my annual October marathon, I am re-presenting my "journey" up to this point as I hunt for as many horror movies I can watch in a single month for the 4th consecutive year...

So, the last movie I watched as of the moment I'm writing this was edited like a 90's sports reel...

I've got nothing to add to that. I just want you to be able to imagine what I'm sitting through sometimes.

• No Prior knowledge of the movie
• No investigation into the movie
• I have to have never seen it OR not seen it recently enough to form an opinion*
• Once the credits start (or I pass the 1:30 min. mark), there is NO TURNING BACK...
• And, of course...No David DeCoteau movies

The first year I did this, I watched the original Maniac, a movie Gene Siskel tapped out on in disgust. Recently, the remake was added on Netflix. And by that I mean very recently, as in a couple of days ago. Will I watch it? Well, obviously the answer's "yes."

Halloween Horror Marathon 2013: Just ONCE I'd like for "SOMEBODY!!" to ACTUALLY Help...And for it to be a Complete Stranger that Shows Up Out of Nowhere

*Note*-- As a lead-in to my annual October marathon, I am re-presenting my "journey" up to this point as I hunt for as many horror movies I can watch in a single month for the 4th consecutive year...

It HAS dawned on me that this process may be slowly driving me insane. Don't let that go ignored. I'm also pretty sure that "Hillbilly Torture Chamber" could be a good band name which also may or may not be an indication of my mental health. That said, I've noticed the trend that a considerable number of the movies I've seen this year have claimed to be based on or inspired by "true events." I won't say which ones, but I do feel like I should expand upon why that irks the hell outta me...

It's a fuggin' lie.

Yeah, I doubt it...

Yeah, I'm not gonna get into a lengthy diatribe or nuanced dismantling of the term. I don't have an hour and neither do you, so let's get on with the rules.

• No Prior knowledge of the movie
• No investigation into the movie
• I have to have never seen it OR not seen it recently enough to form an opinion*
• Once the credits start (or I pass the 1:30 min. mark), there is NO TURNING BACK...
• And, of course...No David DeCoteau movies

After doing this for 2 years straight, the trickiest part of this whole process for me is finding things I haven't seen. This is why I've watched so much crap from the past couple of years. I fear this experiment may have peaked early...in terms of film quality. I'm not stoppin' until this legitimately breaks me, and I DON'T GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT!!

Halloween Horror Marathon 2013: "I don't understand...WHAT'S out there, Rachel!?!?" - Is it too soon to use "Re-Bloodening" again...?

*Note*-- As a lead-in to my annual October marathon, I am re-presenting my "journey" up to this point as I hunt for as many horror movies I can watch in a single month for the 4th consecutive year...

So, here we are in the lovely month of October yet again. That, of course, means a revisit to everyone's favorite genre: Horror. I know, I know...It's not really everyone's favorite, but it is the one I hear most often referred to as someone's favorite. But why is that? I think it's because the horror genre is such a far-reaching form of narrative that's ultimately about "what happens to people." And that can be revealing in so many ways...as well as make it ripe for conversation.

So, why am I doing this...?

I dunno. I forgot. Wasn't I supposed to write a retrospective on Scream...?

The rules are simple! And yeah, I am definitely keeping the added rule from last year if I can help it...

• No Prior knowledge of the movie
• No investigation into the movie
• I have to have never seen it OR not seen it recently enough to form an opinion
• And finally...Once the credits start (or I pass the 1:30 min. mark), there is NO TURNING BACK...
• No David DeCoteau movies

Well then, let's get started! Full disclosure: I watched the first movie on this list a couple of nights early. I had no choice though since Netflix was yanking it on the 1st, but I did plan to watch it first months in advance. And that movie is...