October was frustrating for me. My car broke down and wasn’t properly repaired, so I ended up stuck at my apartment and spending a fortune on Uber rides to my day job. Aside from tabling at Fantasticon Fort Wayne and attending a costume party at The Fort Wayne Ballroom Company, I didn’t get to do most of what I normally do for Halloween. However, I was able to watch my fair share of horror films, spanning multiple decades and several countries. I saw several for the first time this year, so here are some quick reviews of them.
Versus: I’ve been aware of Ryuhei Kitamura’s independent 2000 action-horror movie for a while, but I only just this year saw it. While I’ve unabashedly liked his work with Godzilla: Final Wars, I assumed this was just another edgelord-y, ultraviolent zombie shoot-‘em-up—and it is. But it’s highly entertaining and well-executed. It knows it’s basically a live-action anime and embraces it. What surprised me were the character moments and lore. This movie is equal parts Matrix, samurai, and Highlander, among other things. The heroes and villains are clearly defined. The zombies were unlike any seen at the time (i.e. gun-toting). It isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you can stomach the original RoboCop, you’ll have a great time with this.
The Phantom of the Opera (1943): This was the last of an eight-film blu-ray set of classic Universal Monster films I hadn’t watched. I admit I haven’t seen the 1925 silent version, but I have seen the version of the musical, and I own a copy of the original novel. All that to say, I was a bit underwhelmed by this film starring Claude Raines as the titular Phantom. It focuses more on the drama than the horror and makes the Phantom much less mysterious. The sets are lush, the set pieces often grand, and the script is solid, but I have a feeling I’ll prefer the 1925 version.
Parasyte, Parts 1-2: While this is often called a duology, I view it as a two-part film. It could be described as a Japanese take on John Carpenter’s The Thing, but as much as I love that film, that description is reductionist for Parasyte. This adaptation of Hitoshi Iwaaki’s sci-fi/horror manga from director Takashi Yamazaki is one of the most unique, riveting, and philosophical horror films I’ve seen in a long time. It has more twists and turns than a mountainside highway and one of the strongest narratives I’ve seen in a genre film. Part 1 is a bit better than Part 2, but it’s still great. I’m curious to read the manga and see the anime, Parasyte: -The Maxim-, at some point.
Carnival of Souls: For some reason, I thought this was a 1930s film (it was released in 1962) and featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000. (Mike Nelson did a comedic commentary for a DVD release). While it was regarded as a B-movie, Criterion released it a couple times, and it was their DVD edition I saw. This is no B-movie but an artsy psychological horror film. Mind you, I called the ending inside of the first 10 minutes (it was inspired by a French short film adaptation of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” which was used as an episode of the original Twilight Zone), but that didn’t detract from the journey. Heck, it still leaves me with a few unanswered questions. I highly recommend it!
The Fly (1958): I was shocked at how macabre this was, especially for a 1950s studio film. While some may find the story absurd and the special effects quaint at best, I was riveted. The reveal of the fly-headed man still shocked me and the high-pitched cries of the white-headed fly as a spider encroaches on it were unnerving. I plan to read the short story that inspired it, but from what I read, they’re similar other than a change of setting and a “happier” ending. (Depends on how you define “happier”). Plus, it’s the movie that made Vincent Price famous despite him being a supporting actor. It’s a classic for several reasons!
The Fly (1986): I’d watched part of this remake before, so I decided to finish it after seeing the original. To call it a “loose remake” might be an understatement. It has the same premise, but the style, sensibilities, and story are quite different. The original was shocking for its time, but this is unbridled body horror. (It was directed by David Cronenberg, after all). Dr. Brundle, while still a tragic figure like his 1958 counterpart, ends up being more unlikable as he slowly transforms into an inhuman insect hybrid. The practical special effects are gross but have aged well. I even got some classic Universal Monsters vibes from “Brundlefly” toward the end. (An ending that was quite abrupt, I might add). Throw in Jeff Goldblum playing a nerd (what he does best) and a solid performance from Geena Davis, and you’ll have a good time if you can handle the several sex scenes and frequent grotesquery.
Shin Kamen Rider: Prologue: Yes, this early ‘90s Japanese “v-cinema” superhero movie is also horror. I’ve often heard it compared to Cronenberg’s Fly, which is why I watched that and the 1958 original in preparation for this. While I’m not as familiar with the Japanese superhero Kamen Rider as my Henshin Men co-host, I had enough frame of reference to evaluate it as a part of that franchise. Honestly, it’s just okay. It’s dark and gross and kinda boring. The Fly comparisons are apt, because it often copies that movie’s plot points, albeit weirdly. The best parts might be the horrific transformation scenes and the creature designs by Keita Amemiya. There are better Kamen Rider movies out there, so I’d only recommend this to the most hardcore Rider/tokusatsu fans.
Ringu: I saw the American remake of this J-horror classic years ago, and I remember it being good. I’ve been meaning to watch the Japanese original for a long time and finally pulled the trigger. The premise is fascinating but dated in the best possible way: anyone who watches a disturbingly bizarre VHS tape and answers a phone call dies a week later. The horror is more psychological than visceral and presents its premise like an urban legend. However, the film is less about amassing a body count and far more about unraveling the mystery of the tape, which taps into Japanese ghost stories. Sadako (or Samara in the American version) became a J-horror icon, and it’s no surprise why. If you enjoyed the Hollywood version or like J-horror or psychological horror, you need to watch this!
Kamen Rider: The Next*: I have an asterisk by this one because it’s a secret J-horror movie complete with a knockoff Sadako from Ringu. If you want to hear more about it, check the latest episode of my podcast, Henshin Men.
Happy belated Halloween!
What scary movies and/or stories did you experience during October? Leave your reviews in the comments below!
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