Yes, I know. It’s an old joke, and it fits the letter of the article!
I have always gone to the movies for two reasons. Either I wanted a good laugh or a good scare. Both, if done well, can make you pee yourself. My Good Lady Wife says I should have a better handle on that at my age. I’m really not sure whether she meant the ability to hold it or the ability to squish when I walk.
But enough about my issues and ability to get my own seat on the bus….
Today, we have a couple of offerings, some new, some ancient. Truly, a mixed bag.
Play Dead (2011)
Every country has their own spin on the Zombie Apocalypse and what it will be like. Now, we get a feel for how another species experiences the Zombie onslaught. In this case, it is dogs (with a cat cameo). Andres and Diego Meza-Valdes bring you this vision, which was filmed in Miami. This is one of a number of short horror films by the duo. Stay tuned, I will be checking the rest of them out soon.
Prehistoric Poultry (1917)
Prehistoric monsters, namely a giant chicken, figure into this tale of revenge in the Stone Age. Actually, it more comedy than horror film. From Conquest Studios, which was owned by Thomas Edison, this film is done in stop motion animation. It is a very early work of special effects pioneer Willis O’Brien, who would go on to create the dinosaurs in the 1925 edition of “The Lost World” and the big guy and his ensemble in 1933’s “King Kong.”
Papercuts (2013)
Haunted technology is a staple of the current trends in Asian horror films. “Ringu,” “Shutter” and “Pulse” among others, show that our electronic toys are not to be trusted. What about office equipment? If your fax machine starts threatening you, what do you do?
Stephen Bradley is the writer/director, brings you blood, gore and nasty office politics. What more could anyone want?
Prick (2011)
So, you say you are really good at killing people. You are so good, no one knows that you have killed them until they are dead. And no one can find out that you are killing people. Until you find a baby abandoned at your door. It strikes a chord and you give up your life of murder and find love for this poor waif. “Prick” is a surprising film by Colin Berry of Canada, where prick is not a slight, but something different.
The Pillar of Fire (1899)
George Melies presents a demon dancing and raising a female demon, whose flowing robes looks like a pillar of fire! The most interesting part of this film is that the film is colored, frame by frame, to give the feeling of a color movie.
If you watch many of Melies’ films, dance and acrobatics were a staple.
Porcelain Rising (2013)
Elly has a doll that really could use a makeover. But isn’t that the basis of many horror movies about dolls? From the UK, this is the first film by Rachel Tatham, who wrote, directed and produced the film.
Somehow, the title of this film has an adverse effect on me right now.
Well, folks, I can’t hold it any longer. As usual Vimeo, YouTube and IMDB are my trusted sources for information and passable and brilliant cinema.
Yes, Virginia, there are bad films out there. I try to avoid showing them here.
This is taking too long and the bathroom is too far away. I really wish my body was twenty years younger some times.
I’ll be in my office.
