House. This 1986 film was directed by Steve Miner, who rose to fame helming the second and third Friday the 13th films. It stars the Greatest American Hero, William Katt, and centers on an author who moves into his late aunt's home, which also happens to be haunted. It is not a great movie, but it is an interesting look at survivor guilt. It has a certain charm, and features George Wendt as the next door neighbor.
The Stuff. This is a movie that any horror fan needs to see, and I have to admit that it took me a little too long to get to it. This 1985 movie from director Larry Cohen (It's Alive, Uncle Sam, Captivity, Q, God Told Me To) is about this weird ooze that gets marketed as a delicious dessert and causes people to want to eat more at any costs. It has some great gooey effects and is just a lot of fun. On a side note, a friend of mine has one of the screen used Stuff cups used in the movie.
Cry Baby. From 1990, this outing from writer/director John Waters (Pink Flamingos, Hairspray) features an interesting cast that includes Johnny Depp, Tracy Lords, Ricki Lake, Mink Stole, Iggy Pop, and Joe Dallesandro. It is set in the 1950s and tells the story of a bad boy who wins the good girls heart and the boyfriend that wants revenge.
Event Horizon. I don't care what you say, I like this movie a lot. It is from Paul W. S. Anderson and feels a bit like a cross of Hellraiser and Aliens. It may be low brow stuff, but it still manages to creep me out, has some blood, and some weird imagery. It is a shame that we will never get the director's cut or see all the footage of what happened on the Event Horizon. If you like a little horror with your sci fi, or vice versa, this may be able to help.
Double Indemnity. This is one of the finest examples of film noir. This is an absolute must see. Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck team up in this mystery centering on insurance fraud. The look, the performances, this is one of the greats and if you are unfamiliar, you have a few more days to rectify that situation.
Night of the Creeps. Before giving us the joys of The Monster Squad, writer/director Fred Dekker gave us this gem. Tom Atkins gives us his classic “Thrill me!” line and we watch alien parasites take over peoples brains. This is a blast, no way around it, and may have been the inspiration for James Gunn's Slither (another must see).
Invaders from Mars. Tobe Hooper directed this 1986 remake of the 1953 original about a boy who discovers aliens taking over the people of his town. I remember this kind of creeping me out as a kid. It has been a long time since I have seen it, but it is one of those titles that stays with you. I hope to get to this before it disappears.
The Vampire Lovers. It is hard to go wrong with Hammer. This one came out in 1970 and stars Ingrid Pitt as a vampire who preys on young women. It is one of their many iconic films and one of the few that has popped up on Netflix.
Mr. Mom. Michael Keaton and Teri Garr star in this comedy. It is one of the earlier films to take advantage of Keaton's talents. I know I have seen this one before, but it has been awhile. I remember it being a lot of fun as Keaton becomes a stay at home dad after losing his job.
The Constant Gardner. This is a movie I know I have not seen in years, but it is one worthy of mentioning here as it was one of my favorites of the year when it came out back in 2005. It is a drama, a thriller, a romance, and it works very effectively on those levels as a man (Ralph Fiennes) investigates the death of his wife (Rachel Weisz). It is a wonderfully layered film that deserves some time. It was directed by Fernando Meirelles, it was his first English-language film and the follow up to City of God.
That about wraps it up!
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