"Natural Born Killers" (1994)

As many of you know, Savages is coming out on Friday-- hooray!  I love the book (I'm reading it now) but more than anything I adore director Oliver Stone.  While some say that JFK is their favorite Stone film, I happen to disagree-- Natural Born Killers is by far one original, creative thriller.  Two demented, damaged adults (played by Juliette Lewis and Woody Harrelson-- talk about a power couple!) go on a massive killing spree across America.  When you add in a dash of social commentary about the power of the media you get one intelligent, albeit slightly confusing, masterpiece.

What a handsome, homicidal couple....

While you can't watch it instantly anywhere on the net (legally, that is), you can rent it from Netflix or simply purchase it from Amazon-- trust me, this movie is worth it!



P.S. Although Oliver Stone directed Natural Born Killers, Quentin Tarantino was responsible for the story and the first draft of the screenplay.  This was actually the second screenplay he ever wrote (unfortunately the final product is very far removed from his original version)!

P.S.S. During the prison scenes, the movie was filmed in a maximum security prison in Joilet, IL (a few miles from where I live!).  The extras were originally real inmates (there for mainly violent crimes) with rubber weapons-- they were later placed on lock down and had to be replaced.

"The Lost" (2006)

Today's post comes from Happy and Wrong, my other blog which has a horror section entitled Terror Tuesday.  The Lost is one of my favorite thrillers and is truly a study in those budding sociopaths out there.  Check it out and subscribe to my other blog.... pretty please?

"Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" (1986)

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is a cult classic that explores the depth of psychopathology.  Henry is a bonafide serial killer who, once released from prison, begins to show his new roommate/ex-prison partner Otis the ropes of serial killing.  They go on a crime spree together and Otis quickly loses his grip on any amount of morality he had left.  Meanwhile, Henry meets Otis's sister and begins to change... or does he?

While you can watch this film via Netflix instant, you should really go ahead and buy Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer for your own collection.  It is a thought-provoking, creepy movie that will make you think twice about going into a hotel with a strange man.

P.S. This movie was made with a measly budget of $110,000-- talk about super low-budget!

P.S.S. The character of Henry is actually based on the real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas.  He also befriended a man named Otis and became romantically involved with his sister in real life.

"Mum & Dad" (2008)

Sometimes, folks, the British just do it better-- especially when it comes to horror films.  Mum & Dad is a terrific indie movie about a girl who moves to England and finds herself a captive in someone's basement.  Worst of all, they have a sick sense of reality and force her to be a member of their sick, twisted, demented (have I mentioned how scary they are?) "family".  This movie truly frightens me and gives me nightmares-- if you have a weak stomach, you will soon know why.

You can watch this on Netflix instantly or you can buy Mum & Dad from Amazon.  Regardless, check out the trailer:

P.S. This is the first film of director Steven Sheil.  Here's to hoping that he makes more good flicks in the future.

"Don't Go in the House" (1980)

There's no easy way to put this-- Don't Go in the House may be a classic slasher film, but it ain't pretty. In fact, the entire premise can be summed up in two sentences: a crazed construction worker was abused as a child by his sadistic mother, who always set parts of his body on fire.  His ideal coping mechanism involves picking up strange women at discos, taking them home, and setting them on fire. He would have been better off if he just practiced some meditation or scrapbooking, eh?

Lucky for you all, you can watch Don't Go in the House on YouTube for free.  No need to buy the movies, folks, unless you really, really like fire and/or disco....

P.S. The director hired dancers to play the parts of the burned women-- they looked just like the original actresses but were much slimmer.  Apparently, when a body is burned it shrinks drastically in size.  Interesting.

P.S.S. This film is mainly well-known due to Quentin Tarantino, who notoriously featured it at his first film festival in 1996.

"Twisted Nerve" (1968)

Before a month ago, I had never heard of Twisted Nerve.  Although we see a lot of its influence over horror and film (the whistle song from Kill Bill?  Originally from Twisted Nerve!), it is a relatively unknown British thriller.  I first watched this film because I heard that American Horror Story, my favorite TV show right now, based a lot of the character Tate on Twisted Nerve's main character.  Martin is a rich, sociopathic Mama's boy who, although he happens to be very good looking, wants nothing more in life than to have a free ride.  When his step-father gives him an ultimatum, Martin does what any 20-something would do: he fakes moving away, befriends a sexy librarian (Hayley Mills, of all people!), and soon passes himself off as "Georgie," a mentally challenged man.  While the librarian and her family take him in, the lines become blurred between Martin and Georgie, which prompts the viewers to wonder if Martin is truly faking his other personality....

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Unfortunately, you can't really find Twisted Nerve around-- not even on Netflix!  However, you can buy a copy really cheap from Amazon, which is what I did.  Trust me, I have no regrets on this purchase, ladies and gents.  In the meantime, check out the trailer below:



P.S. The whistling theme from Twisted Nerve was recently popularized by Quentin Tarantino in Kill Bill: Volume I.

P.S.S. Not gonna lie-- this film can be a wee bit offensive due to its views on "mongolism," which is an outdated, offensive term for Down's Syndrome.  The producers even insisted on having a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie stating that there is no known connection between "mongolism" and psychopathology.  Yikes....

"Alice Sweet Alice" (1976)

Also known as Communion, Alice Sweet Alice is a thriller revolving around the murder of Karen Spages (played by a young Brooke Shields) on her day of first communion.  What makes matters worse is that all of her family and friends suspect her slightly older sister, Alice, who has always been jealous of the beautiful Karen.  Although she is only 12 years old, Alice attempts to prove her innocence as more people begin to die from a mysterious killer.

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Rent Alice Sweet Alice from Netflix or buy this fun flick from Amazon directly.  Oh yes-- don't forget to check out the following:



P.S. Paula E. Sheppard, who played 12 year old Alice, was actually 19 years old when this film was made. Talking about looking young for your age.... sheesh!

P.S.S. This is actually the first film that Brooke Shields starred in.  Needless to say, she soon became an international celebrity due to her acting chops and beautiful looks.

"The Dentist" (1996)

As if we all needed any more excuses to avoid the dentist's office.... When Dr. Feinstone, a well-off dentist, discovers that his wife is having an affair with the gardener, he finally snaps.  Between sexually assualting a patient in his dental chair to torturing innocent braces-clad teenagers, he finally enacts his revenge using tools that we unfortunately see once or twice a year.... or more if we don't floss enough (I mean, does anyone ever floss enough?).  The genius of this film is that it employs something we already fear (i.e. dental instruments) and brings them to torture status.... other than that, it's just some plain ol' gory fun, folks.

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If you feel like having a cavity-infested nightmare, The Dentist is available to watch instantly on Netflix.  If you want to have your very own copy, however, you can also buy a copy from Amazon.  In the meantime, who's in the mood for a crappy trailer from the 90's?

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P.S. Think this film is entirely fiction?  Think again! Glennon Engleman was an infamous dentist who also moonlighted as a hitman.  He eventually passed away in 1999 at the age of 71.  Apparently, his real passion was being a sociopath, not a dentist.

"The Devil's Rejects" (2005)

Today's Horror du Jour comes courtesy from Happy and Wrong, my other blog dedicated to life's everyday moments (and lots of fashion... and coupons).  Check out The Devil's Rejects, an underrated film directed by Rob Zombie.  When the murderous Firefly family goes on the run from the cops, they discover that they are not the only savages in the world.

Check out and please follow my blog if you love fashion, deals, and weddings as much as I do!  Thanks, y'all!

"The Last House on the Left" (1972)

Oh, Wes Craven-- the simple utterance of his name sends shivers down many horror fans' spines.  He's responsible for classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, and, my personal favorite, The Last House on the Left.  The Last House on the Left was Craven's first venture into feature films, and its content is somewhat darker than his other flicks.  Two teenage girls meet up at their parents' summer homes and are soon stalked by a group of vicious criminals.  Besides robbing them, they take them into the woods and proceed to brutally rape, hunt them down, and murder them.  However, their car breaks down right in front one of the girl's summer house, and her Daddy Dearest, who happens to be a physician (translation: knows lots of ways to make you suffer), soon realizes who the supposed "guests" are.  Pretty soon, the line becomes blurred between who the victims and the killers are....

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Watch The Last House on the Left instantly on Netflix, or purchase it from Amazon directly.  While you're waiting, amuse yourself by watching the following trailer:



P.S. Due to the graphic nature of the rape scene (it truly is the most realistic and horrifying one I've ever seen), it has been banned many times in numerous countries.  The UK originally gave it an X rating until Craven had to drastically edit out the worse bits.

P.S.S. Director Wes Craven tends to name a lot of his villians some version of "Krug" (i.e. Freddy Krueger and the main bad dude in this flick).  This name belongs to his high school bully, who you bet is really, really regretting beating up on creative, talented, and rich kids....

"The Bad Seed" (1956)

Today's Horror du Jour comes courtesy of Happy and Wrong, my other blog.  It features Terror Tuesday, a section dedicated to horror movies, as well as general info about life.  The Bad Seed is one of my favorite movies of all time (it's actually #2, right after A Clockwork Orange, but who's keeping tabs?), as it is about whether or not an 8 year old girl is capable of murder.  Check it out if you love suspenseful thrillers with overdramatic (and awesome) acting and a killer story.... no pun intended.

Also, if you love fashion, saving money, and random things, then please follow Happy and Wrong.  Thanks, everybody!

"Inferno" (1980)

A sequel of sorts to his masterpiece, Suspiria, Infero is a creepy thriller directed by Dario Argento.  A young poet buys a rare book from a used bookstore entitled "The Three Mothers."  Written by a deceased architect, it tells the story of three witches and their corresponding covens.  Convinced that her apartment building is one of the witches' homes, she enlists her brother Mark for help.  Before he arrives, however, his sister is beheaded, and he is left behind to try to solve the mystery that ultimately took his sister's life.

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Watch Inferno instantly on Netflix, or purchase it directly through Amazon.  In the meantime, satisfy your horror cravings with the following clip:



P.S. Famed Italian horror director Mario Bava, famous for movies such as Black Sunday, actually participated in a great deal of the making of Inferno.  He was in charge of special effects, scenery, and, according to the lead actress, directed almost all of her scenes.  Apparently, Dario Argento was rarely seen, likely due to the fact that he was bedridden with severe hepatitis.  Sadly, Bava passed away shortly before the film was released.

"Ichi the Killer" (2001)

Technically, Ichi the Killer is not a horror movie.  Instead of dealing with ghosts, demons, or the occasional axe-wielding maniac, director Takashi Miike (one of my favorite all-time directors, by the way) weaves together a story dealing with the Yakuza (i.e. Japanese mobsters), sadomasochism, and ultra-violence.  The premise is too complex to go into completely, but when a Yakuza boss goes missing, the rest of his mob goes looking for him.  Unfortunately for them, a young, psychotic, murderous Ichi is under the thumb of a retired cop bent on revenge.  I bet you can guess what happens next....

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If you are brave (and haven't eaten dinner yet) you can watch Ichi the Killer on Netflix instantly.  If you're like me and must have such a notorious film in your collection, then buy it on Amazon for yourself.  Think you can handle the gore and violence?  Check out the trailer below:



P.S. The name Ichi technically means "one."  The character of Ichi wears a yellow number 1 on his clothing throughout the entire movie due to this.

P.S.S. Director Takashi Miike had barf bags handed out as a gimmick during its premiere.... watch this movie and you'll understand why!

"The Ugly" (1997)

Today's horror movie comes courtesy from Happy and Wrong, my other blog that features Terror Tuesday, a day dedicated to horror movies.  Check out The Ugly, one of my favorite indie flicks from New Zealand, from Happy and Wrong today!


Thanks, everybody!  If you are interested in fashion, saving money, and life in general, please be so kind as to follow my other blog!

"American Gothic" (1988)

What do you get when you combine two genres of horror movies-- the survival island theme and the deranged family living off the grid-- into one?  Well, if you add in Yvonne De Carlo from The Munsters fame you get American Gothic, a 1980's slasher film that is still one of my favorites.  A bunch of teenagers get stranded on an island when their plane crashes unexpectedly.  Unfortunately for them, the island is less Gilligan's Island and more like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, with the teenagers as mere toys for the island's overgrown, crazed family.

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Sadly, you can't even rent this movie on Netflix, since it is so rare.  However, Amazon has this DVD for sale for ultra-cheap-- $6.49!  If you love campy flicks, then make sure to keep this in mind.  Additionally, check out this clip for a preview:



P.S. In case you can't tell, this movie's poster is based on Grant Wood's famous painting, American Gothic.

Trick 'r Treat (2007)

We are halfway through September, folks-- you know what that means, right?  Halloween is coming up soon!  While there is no doubt that All Hallow's Eve is famously delightful for yummy candy and funny costumes, I love it for its collection of scary movies.  Trick 'r Treat is one such example of a film set during the October month.  It shows four stories that are interwoven together, each chronicling some creepy aspect of Halloween.  Whether it's werewolves, ghosts, or serial killers, this movie shows how each one has its special place during that night.

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Luckily, you can watch Trick 'r Treat instantly on Netflix, and you can buy the movie straight from Amazon.  In the meantime, check out this trailer:



P.S. Since most of the filming took place at night, children could not work certain hours.  Therefore, tons of little people had to dress up in costumes to take their place.

"Chainsaw Sally" (2001)

Sometimes you just watch a movie where every aspect stays with you for eternity; other times, you watch a flick that you can only remember parts of, like Chainsaw Sally.  Frankly, I rented this low-budget flick because of its creative, catchy title, and was expecting nothing else than a good laugh or jump.  However, for being so low-budget, it is a surprisingly campy, intriguing film that is easy to watch.  It deals with Sally, a librarian by day but a chainsaw-wielding serial killer by night.  Living with her transvestite brother in their murdered parents' home, they take extreme measures to protect their land.  Let's just say that chainsaw becomes pretty handy....

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Rent Chainsaw Sally from Netflix, or, if you really love librarian/serial killer combos, purchase it from Amazon.  Also, make sure to check out the trailer below:



P.S. The star of this film, April Monique Burril, is not only the wife of the director, but was also pregnant during filming.  Tossing around a chainsaw in fishnet stockings while expecting?  That's what I call dedication!

"The Slumber Party Massacre"

The following post is from Happy and Wrong, which features a Terror Tuesday section about horror movies.

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Directed by Amy Holden Jones (obviously, a woman), you would think this slasher flick from the early 1980's would showcase leading women in a strong, heroic light.... WRONG.  You, in fact, would be dead wrong.  Instead, this flick is one giant scantily-clad slumber party mixed with a few gratuitous shower scenes.  However, despite all of its blatant sexuality and cliches, it is a fun movie that gives us a blast from the past in terms of old skool horror flicks.  Oh.  And the killer's weapon of choice is a giant drill.  I could go all day with the Freudian symbols and probable penis envy from the director, but I'll digress.... instead, just watch a clip below from the movie that showcases one of the best hiding places for a dead body.... ever.

"Hands of the Ripper" (1971)

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When I was younger, about 8 or 9, I became fascinated with Jack the Ripper.  Before you write me off as a sadistic psycho, allow me to explain-- I was a weird kid.  I became easily obsessed with numerous things, from the steam ship Sultana (did you know this steam ship explosion in 1865 killed more people than the Titanic? Oh, I did!) to Hitchcock movies to Jack the Ripper.  Hands of the Ripper is an old-skool flick from the early 70's the attempts to combine pop psychology with true crime.  The movie focuses on a young woman who, as an infant, witnessed her father, Jack the Ripper, brutally murder her mother.  Now, a psychiatrist is convinced that she blacks out, goes into trances, and kills people, just like her father.  I bet you can guess how the rest of the film progresses, huh?

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While you can't watch Hands of the Ripper instantly on Netflix, you can order it through their mail service or go ahead and buy it on Amazon.  Before you do, however, watch the following trailer-- I must admit that it is quite good considering it's age!



P.S. Hands of the Ripper was created and produced by Hammer Films, one of the leaders of British horror movies from the 1930's until present.  This was made in their glory days, but they are currently making a comeback with The Woman in Black, a new film starring Daniel Radcliffe. They also produced Let Me In.

P.S.S. This movie singlehandedly made me afraid to eat any type of ground beef.  See if you can guess why.

"Peeping Tom" (1960)

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A lot of film-goers believe that Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho was the first stab (no pun intended) at the genre of slasher films-- they are mistaken.  While Psycho is undoubtedly one of the most influential horror films of all time, the British cult favorite Peeping Tom, directed by Michael Powell, is actually considered to be by most cinephiles the first slasher flick.  The premise is sick and creepy enough, especially by early 1960's standards-- Mark Lewis is a sexually repressed, sociopathic photographer who, due to trauma by his scientist father, becomes obsessed with killing women and catching their expressions on his camera.  Not only does he record the act, but he actually kills with his camera-- he puts a blade on the edge.  Strange, eh?  It only gets stranger when Mark befriends Helen, a young woman who brings out a warmer side of his personality.  However, as Helen and her mother, who happens to be blind, come closer to discovering his true nature, he begins reverting back to his old ways....

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Grab Peeping Tom from Amazon, or watch it instantly on Netflix (what a great deal!).  Also, check out the following campy trailer:



P.S. Director Michael Powell, who was famous for directing hits such as The Red Shoes, is said to have "ruined his career" when this film was released.  Oh, what a small price to pay for starting a huge horror movie movement, eh?