THIS FRESH BLOOD: Basket Case 3 – The Progeny (1991)

Original Post Date: 05.03.17

I must be honest with you, I had no idea Basket Case had two sequels! For some reason, I thought the 1982 movie was a standalone horror classic because, let’s be honest, the way it ended was pretty much definitive [SPOILER ALERT]… both Duane and Belial fell to their death from the infamous New York hotel window.

Well, a couple of weeks ago while searching the web for a cool picture for one of my #memesbyMARATH posts for Basket Case (shout-out to Auntie) I stumbled upon a bunch of visually stimulating stills involving happy monsters and babies. So, long story short, I purchased Basket Case 3 immediately (felt indifferent about Basket Case 2 so maybe I’ll watch it, maybe not), got the dvd in the mail three days later, and just today finally (finally!), got a chance to sit down with my man and watch it for the very first time.

Basket Case 3: The Progeny (1991) was a really fun movie to watch, and I am not just saying it just to say it. NO! It was truly funny (cross my heart) and even reminded me to a handful of movies such as Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, and even Forrest Gump. Dude, the actor who played Duane was on point with his comedic body language and facial expressions, he was really great! You could tell how his acting skills improved in the decade between the original movie and this sequel. And actually, everything improved, including the cinematography, special effects makeup, story, all of it.

And now that I think about it, part 3 could very well be its own thing… nah, scratch that, you would still need to know the backstory for the siblings, Duane and Belial, to understand why Duane loves Belial so much and why Belial hates Doctors so much.

Oh, that Belial, such a violent guy. When the cops kidnapped his babies he went on a murder rampage so brutal and gory that I kind of felt bad for the guys, kind of. And what about Granny Ruth? Such a strong and kind woman who had the balls to take all her unique friends on a road trip to go after a Doctor she trusted to deliver Mrs. Belial babies –Granny Ruth was the warrior and protector they all needed.

Before I wrap this post I must tell you who my favorite character was. Even thought there were so many colorful fellas, nobody was as jovial as Little Hal. He was also the smartest and the largest, look:

(OMG the birth scene got me LOL’ing IRL - click here to go watch it)

This fresh blood reminded me that it is awesome being different and that a loving environment is all we really need.

- Marath

THIS FRESH BLOOD: The Final Girls (2015)

Original Post Date: 04.23.17

[speechless]

My original plan for the night was to THIS-FRESH-BLOOD a different movie, I even had inserted the dvd in my computer and started watching the first trailer. And that first trailer completely stole my attention and interest. This was the trailer:

There was no way in hell I was not going to watch The Final Girls (2015) movie asap! So, after finding it online and paying $2.99 for the rental, I hit play and embarked in a very fantastic ride. Oh, this is the part where I tell you there are going to be spoilers ahead. *SPOILERS AHEAD*

So you already know the premise of the movie thanks to that sexy trailer, so let’s move on.

When Max saves her friends from the fire they get transported inside the movie they were just watching, Camp Blood Bath, and by the way, quick side note, I found it beautiful the way the Director of the film synchronized Billy’s machete movement with Max’s machete movement (it was like a dance!). Where was I? Oh yeah, when the ‘real’ guys get inside the movie they infiltrate with the ‘characters’ of the film and a bunch of interesting things happen, because remember, Camp Blood Bath was an 80’s slasher and our guys came from this current decade. I love time traveling scenarios because they are such a mindfuck –the scene with the iphone, the selfie, online shopping, references to alternative parenting… I freaking LOVED IT!

And don’t get me started on the transitions to the black & white flashbacks –they were fantastic! Dude, the room slowly changed into what looked like gigantic rain/gel droplets. OMG and the voiceover! And the lettering! The Art Department on this film completely killed it.

The movie was also funny, and I attribute it to actress Angela Trimbur who played Tina. Tina was loud, overly sexual, fearless, curious, cute, and a good dancer – dude, before she got killed and, mind you, while still super high on Adderall, she violently danced a provocative routine to attract the killer, Billy, into the house now full of baits for him.

And the scene where Max and Nancy have a heartfelt talk and Nancy pretty much sacrifices herself to save her future daughter… I almost wanted to cry.

And the scene where Max kills Billy which meant she was the final girl and then the story ends and the credits of the movie-inside-the-movie start rolling… my brain exploded!

And the scene where the ‘real’ guys are in the hospital only to find out they are actually inside the sequel… shut the front door!

I am pretty sure I am forgetting a ton of cool details, either that or the fact that it’s past midnight as I type this which means I might be a bit delirious and need to go to bed like the grandma that I am. But hey, before I go I must share with you this scene that I really enjoyed, which was not only original but extremely well done, I mean, Mr. Director, you win, you win in life, no joke on that.

This fresh blood was such a perfect surprise, a surprise I did not think I needed in my life. This was next level.

- Marath

P.S. Did I mention that I loooooved The Final Girls?

THIS FRESH BLOOD: Pet (2016)

Original Post Date: 04.02.17

What a movie! If you haven’t watched Pet (2016) yet, do yourself a favor and go watch it right now, like, at this moment, do not even waste precious minutes reading this post, just find the movie online and watch it immediately –it doesn’t matter it’s eleven pm on a Sunday, just go watch it NOW!

I applaud writers and directors who do an amazing job at surprising me. Yes, you must have an original script to work with but you also must have someone who can translate it into images. And actors, high-caliber actors who not only master the art of being human but also who make you care for their characters. When you combine talent like that, you get movies like Pet. Oh man! What a beauty!

Now, in regards to the characters, you have Holly who is your average hardworking American woman, one more waitress/writer flooding the streets of L.A., one more of us with struggles and dreams. And bad luck.

Also, you have Seth, your average hardworking American man, one more whose life seems to be absorbed by monotony and shyness, one more of us with fears and loneliness. And bad luck.

Appearances are deceiving, yes, we already knew that, but, how deceiving are they really? How badly can you judge someone based on how they look or what they do for a living? How defenseless is a woman walking home by herself at night? Likewise, how non-threatening can be that quiet guy who minds his own business and never gets in trouble? How far can you go to feel special? How far can you go to save someone?

I am happy for you, yes you reading this. If you did what I asked you to at the beginning of this entry, then you must be enjoying the first minutes of the film and about to get your mind blown. On the other hand, if you didn’t, well, good for you but seriously, go watch the goddamn movie right now, would you?

This fresh blood made me feel proud to be a horror fan. HORROR IS THE SHIT!

—Marath