Me Against The World: The Bye Bye Man (2017)

May 6, 2019

I finally got to watch The Bye Bye Man (2017) and I am surprised at how much I did not dislike it. I repeat, I did not dislike The Bye Bye Man. Seriously, after some of my favorite horror youtubers gave it terrible, unmannerly reviews and basically called it a piece of shit, I was expecting to have a good time on my own by pointing out all the things that made it laughably bad for me but, ahem, I just found one thing that made me roll my eyes hard and it was the CGI dog. That’s it.

I cannot express how much I trusted others’ opinions and was expecting to have a blast tonight by poking fun at the movie but, instead, I was left with a weird feeling because it made me wonder stuff about myself like, do I enjoy shitty movies? Or even worse, have I lost touch and cannot longer distinguish good from bad horror? And most importantly, what other movies have I watched (or not watched) due to my taking recommendations blindly from people I admire in the horror community?

Oh brother, The Bye Bye Man was supposed to give me ninety minutes of easy entertainment where I was going to laugh, perhaps make some jokes, and call it a night. Instead, it made me take a look at myself and open my eyes to what I have potentially missed for being a follower. Fuck.

Like I said, the movie was not that bad in my opinion which, yes, kind of makes me sound like an insane person for admitting it. I mean, the general disapproval is real, just google the reviews and the whole internet will shout their hate towards it. I am not exaggerating, people HAAAAATE it.

I don’t know. I need to go and gather my thoughts. I was not expecting this.

-Marath

Big Screen Experience: Beetlejuice (1988)

April 16, 2019

Last week I saw Beetlejuice (1988) on the big screen here at my local movie theater and it was great, no, wait, it was better than great, it was freaking amazing! I was just a little kid when the movie came out in the 80’s so I had of course assumed that that was it, I would never see the movie (now one of my top 10 favorites) like it was meant to be watched, in theaters.

Long story short, fast-forward thirty-one years later and voilà, a miracle happened! Oh dear god, when the room got dark and the movie’s catchy opening title (the one I have watched on my television countless number of times) started playing, I felt overwhelmed with joy and dread… hear me out, joy because duh, but dread because how (how!?) could I ever have a better movie-going experience than this? It was Beetlejuice, people, Beetlejuice on the big screen! AH!

I had a great time at the movies and did not mind embarrassing myself in front of all those strangers; I said out loud in unison the lines I love so much (This is my art, and it is dangerous. Do you think I want to die like this? / I must express myself. If you don't let me gut out this house and make it my own, I will go insane, and I will take you with me! / Go ahead, make my millennium. / Nice fuckin' model! / It's showtime.), I sang and danced on my seat to its iconic songs ("Day O" / "Jump In The Line"), but most importantly, I laughed, I laughed so much and so hard I thought I was going to get kicked out of the place. Put simply, it was the perfect experience.

The storyline of Beetlejuice represents to me the ups and downs of life, all while being told in the most bizarre, cynical, hilarious way possible… hear me out, you have a couple of newlyweds spending their vacation at home with all their plans of relaxation (Adam) and renovation (Barbara), even contemplating trying for a family again. The Maitland’s live a simple happy life. Until they die due to random events. No big plan, no reason why, just dead. The end. Enter the afterlife and all its complicated rules to which you either adapt and learn fast or, well, you have seen the movie. Beetlejuice reminds me that life is short and random and that it is up to me to get on with it and adapt to its craziness, all while having as much fun as possible while I still can.

Closing side note: I have realized that as I type this today Tuesday, April 16, 2019 I, myself, am on vacation just like the Maitland’s were, spending my time off at home with the intention of relaxing and renovating… mmh, I am suddenly feeling a strong aversion from dogs and bridges.

In Love and Fear,

-Marath

THIS FRESH BLOOD: US (2019)

March 28, 2019

Jordan Peele is here to take care of our horror needs. His unique way of approaching social commentary via genre film is not only thought provoking but also a service to the American public. Racism told via body snatching? Check. [GET OUT, 2017] Abandonment and homelessness told via murderous doppelgangers? Check and check. [US, 2019] As Peele told Variety in a 2018 interview, he is “passionate about content that is both elevated and socially meaningful but not at the sacrifice of fun.”

Alright, let’s now get down to business and talk about Peele’s newest movie, US (2019). Just kidding, let’s first remember—or in my case, learn about—Hands Across America. Hands Across America was an 80’s fundraiser stunt which tried to enlist 6 million participants to form a coast-to-coast human chain, all in an effort to raise between $50 million and $100 million dollars for hungry and homeless Americans. The event happened on May 25, 1986 and although 5 million people did show up and held hands for 15 minutes from Manhattan to Long Beach, the calculated netted amount was only $15 million. (Wanna learn more? Go here.)

Okay, okay, enough screwing around, here’s US (2019):

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

I am trusting you are a dedicated Horror fan and already went to see the film on the big screen and know what happened, yada yada yada, the twist at the end was expected but still great! Yes, Adelaide Wilson’s “shadow” was the real Adelaide. Yes, the movie followed the story of “Tethered Red”, the clone, who became Adelaide by kidnapping her in 1986 when she was not being watched by her parents. Yes, that’s why fake Adelaide couldn’t speak after the incident at the beach fair (the “Tethered” don’t speak, just grunt like animals, duh!). Yes, yes, that’s why adult Adelaide was hesitant to go back to the beach with her family in present day – not because she was afraid something bad was going to happen to “her” again, but because she was afraid she was going to get caught, double duh!

[Fake Adelaide & Adelaide – the clone about to kidnap the real one]

[Adelaide & Fake Adelaide – the real one about to try to take revenge on the clone]

As I see it, the movie was a Yin and Yang of sorts and it was only scary because violence occurred and information was withheld making everyone uneasy, plus, let’s be honest, Peele’s sophisticated eye is what made this tale of survival of the strongest so beautiful and worth watching. Here, let me list all the things I loved about US:

80’s home decor
The VHS tapes by the TV when it was playing the ad for Hands Across America
The ominous reflection of kid Adelaide on the TV with the ad and the map of the United States
The uncomfortable mom and dad interaction at the beach fair
Adelaide exploring/getting lost at the fair at night
All the creepy background characters
The house of mirrors
The terror on Adelaide’s face when she encounters her clone
On present day: Adelaide’s family
All the small little details in the nice family interactions (car/dinner/boat/beach)
Adelaide’s husband (yum! #sorrynotsorry)
Adelaide’s subdued gestures hinting to the audience that something odd was going on in her head
When the clone family arrives
“If you wanna get crazy, we can get crazy.”
Red (real Adelaide) introducing her family & explaining who they are
“We are Americans.”
Red’s raspy voice
Umbrae’s demented stare! OMG SO CREEPY!!
When we learn that there are more killer clones in the town
The clone twins! OMG I DIED!!
Dahlia crying/evil-laughing! OMG SO SINISTER I ALMOST CRIED HAPPY TEARS!!
The hundreds of clones dressed in red, holding hands just like in Hands Across America
The final battle between Red and Adelaide in the tunnels (fight + backstory showing the clones controlling the ‘above ones’ like puppets)
When Adelaide realizes, after killing Red, that her son, who was hidden, might have listened to them talking, thus might know that she is the clone! And then, back in the car, he looking at her stone-faced and she almost, but not really, but kind of, giving him a look that said, And what are you going to do about it?

I cannot wait to rewatch US and pick up on all the other details I know I missed. Peele was so meticulous with this film that each scene, each word, each object had a purpose. There was nothing gratuitous in US and that, my horror friend, is elevated content. Hear, hear!

In Love and Fear,

-Marath