Halloween Horror Marathon 2011: Night of the Blood House of Skulls in the Mouth of Hell of the Dead II: The Re-Bloodening

*Note*-- As a lead-in to my annual October marathon this year, 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's down to the wire, and I've put more time into this than I have making a costume. But what can I say, really? This is, honestly, far more fun than it should be and I'm starting to think that 100 movies is attainable. It's also just as informative as I thought it would be because I love observing cliches. The best way to upend expectation is to know what's expected. Plus, seeing this many horror movies is enough of a confidence boost to make me believe I could make my own. Or, at least steer one in the right direction...which is to say, as far away from anything resembling John Boorman's film of Exorcist II: The Heretic as possible.

So, let's get into it. My rules are still simple:

• No prior knowledge
• No investigation into a title
• Never seen it or haven't seen it recently enough to form an opinion
• Once the opening credits start (or the equivalent amount of time has passed), there's no turning back...

I just realized the best part of this is no one knows what applies to what but me...

Halloween Horror Marathon 2011: "You guys...This isn't funny."

*Note*-- As a lead-in to my annual October marathon this year, 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, at some point in the middle of Maniac!, I stared deep into the craggy face of Joe Spinell and a thought flashed into my head. Can I watch 100 horror movies in one month? I think the answer is "yes." This is a completely reachable goal with the stipulations I've already set for myself...

• No prior knowledge
• No investigation into a title
• Never seen it, or haven't seen it recently enough to form an opinion
• Once the movie's opening credits start (or the equivalent amount of time), there is no turning back...

Obviously, standards of selection just took a punch in the dick. I haven't found the movie to break me yet, but the month isn't over yet...

Halloween Horror Marathon 2011: It Began on The 6th of October...

*Note*-- As a lead-in to my annual October marathon this year, 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...

Horror movies don't tend to get much attention throughout the year. You may see the occasional release in the summer or the odd December release in theaters, but generally speaking, it seems as though the genre is ignored until October rolls around. I can't lie. I'm a little guilty of this too. It's not that I don't pay attention to horror movies at all, but they definitely take a backseat to other genre indulgences. That's why I think of October as an "appreciation month." It also doesn't hurt that it's the one time in the year when you don't have to work so hard to convince most people to watch a horror movie.

I have a completely unfounded theory. I think that a greater understanding and appreciation of film as a narrative medium begins with horror. Beat changes, pacing, characterization, setting, lighting, the use of sound and music -- Every major element of a narrative film is essential to an effective horror film, and more exposure gives the viewer a better grasp of what makes a movie work. This isn't a thesis, so don't expect a defense or anything. I'm just saying that I can see what clicks and what doesn't, and I owe that to watching a metric shit-ton of movies with the words "Dead," "Blood," and/or "Night" in the title. That's why (aside from Halloween) I love October. Through this self-imposed focus on a single genre, I learn and that's the most important thing anyone can do in life. Sure, it might seem like a shallow and superfluous venture. But like everything else, the experience is what you make of it...

This experience in particular teaches you the value of a change of pants.

No One is Being Served...'Cause You Guys Are Idiots!

I know what you're thinking...No, I'm not gonna start on your hair. It's a fuckin' catastrophe, but we've got bigger fish to fry here, boys. For starters, you're morons...

So...About This CM Punk Thing...

When I started this blog, I never intended for it to become an exclusively pro-wrestling/sports entertainment opinion page. It's not now, and it won't be but I feel like that needed to be acknowledged before I got into this entry. I also feel it necessary to state that I am a CM Punk fan.

Judging by the number of views this has, there are quite a few of us...

I Went to a TNA Impact House Show...I Have Thoughts

There are a number of things that I need to share with anyone reading this up front for the sake of context. Luckily, it's not a large number so you can bear with me.

• I had never been to a live wrestling event before this one, and I've not written specifically about an event before either.
• I don't generally follow TNA Impact, so many of the wrestlers, stories, etc. are a little new to me.

With that said, let's talk about this show...and TNA by extension.

TNA Impact Wrestling Presents The Road to Lockdown Tour(...as experienced by someone that's only watched TNA once in the past 5 years)

The 10 Quintessential Fight Scenes in Martial Arts Cinema...According to Some Guy

I think Tony Jaa is probably a really nice guy...but he's not gonna be on this list ANYWHERE. Let's get that outta the way now. If that bothers you, have a dance party and forget your troubles!* For the rest of us, you're likely here because you love martial arts movies as much as I do if not more. But this isn't a pissing contest. Besides, I'd totally win that too...

The reason why I don't like most Tony Jaa fights is because I never feel as though there are any stakes. His athleticism is amazing, but I never feel as though there is anyone that can match that in his movies. As a result, I feel like I'm just waiting for him to win. That's not what makes a good fight scene. It's more than just the skill and athletic prowess on display that pulls us into a good fight. It's tension, and that comes from characters facing what is clearly a challenge to them. For that reason, you're probably not gonna see a lot of "one guy takes on countless thugs" scenes. But brace yourself for a lot of Hong Kong...

Presented in no particular order (some spoilers lie ahead...deal with it!):