The Top Five Films of OCTOBERTHON VI

It's good to be back!

I had a pretty good feeling that there was no way in Hell I would be able to try and cram thirty-one films into one month along with keeping a healthy review regime going. I can get by without a ton of sleep sometimes, but that's a little much.

Instead, I took some time off and thought I'd wrap up another OCTOBERTHON with the Top Five films that I had not ever seen prior to this year. I figured that would be more fun than filling the top of the list with obvious ones, like "The Exorcist", the "Addams Family" films, "The Changeling", etc.

Okay, let's dive in!

5. "Hell House LLC" (2016)

Despite getting too cute with its own premise in the Third Act and draining the film of some mystique, I still have to tip my hat to what turned out to be an effectively atmospheric, mysterious, and outright creepy low-budget horror film. It certainly doesn't hurt that the found-footage documentary style was utilized to its advantage and enhanced some scenes that otherwise may not have been as captivating shot in a more traditional approach. Again, it goes off the rails a bit towards the end, and while I don't know what that did yet for the two follow-up sequels currently out, my curiosity is piqued and I fully intend to check them out in the near future.

4. "Cargo" (2018)

Just when one might think the Zombie Apocalypse genre has become a completely drained meat sack on the side of the road, there comes a film or two that still brings a touch of creativity. "Cargo" not only brings back the slow-burn to the genre, but additionally offers something genuinely personal and heartfelt. Here, the apocalypse has come and gone for an uncertain amount of time, but a little family of three (led by Martin Freeman) has managed to stay alive in the Australian countryside. The hook in this case is that both he and his wife get infected, and their daughter is entirely too young to defend herself. Armed with the knowledge that they have 48 hours to find suitable safety for her, they start their journey against hazardous terrain while racing against the clock. 

Depending on your tolerance level for such things, it may not be more than a one-stop viewing, though I definitely recommend giving it a try. It deserves that much. Freeman carries a bulk of the load, and that alone should tell you it's in good hands.

3. "Begotten" (1990)

I don't know if enjoy is exactly the right term for this, but I do unquestionably respect the Hell out of it. I was initially under the impression that "Begotten" was a completely silent film that relied solely on interpretive storytelling and insanely goth imagery to play out said story. While actual spoken language is at an absolute minimum, and by that I mean hollers and grunts, this film is anything but silent in the most evil of ways. Gagging, defecating, raping, masturbation, stabbing, etc. - it is all there for the ingesting, and kudos to the stark audio mix that brings that shit to the forefront. I can handle quite a bit, but to see some visible gagging and hearing that sound so vividly that it makes me want to do it is as gross as it is awesome. 

Merhige, I don't know who hurt you, but you're kind of a genius, and I love it. God Killing Himself is my next Halloween inspiration without a doubt. 

2. "The Innocents" (1961)

Goddamn, I really miss the good old fashioned ghost stories that mainstream Hollywood doesn't see fit to make anymore. Lead by an almost entirely female cast - back in 1961 was imaginably a pretty big deal - "The Innocents" carves a gorgeous black and white chiller about paranoia, spirits, domestic abuse, neglect, and abandonment; just to name a few. There were also some really neat smoke-and-mirror tricks with the cast and camera angles that has clearly inspired more modern day horror filmmakers.

I don't want to say much more because this film demands full immersion. Definitely give it a shot; preferably Criterion's release of it. They really made it look brand new!

1. "Midsommar" (2019)

Yeah, I know, when I popped this in a few weeks ago and noted it on my Facebook page, I went on a miniature rant about how this one had me thinking up front that it was going to be more indie horror nonsense, and no, I didn't care that Ari Aster directed it, because while "Hereditary" was a good film, nothing about it knocked my socks off. 

On the plus side, I emphatically love when my preconceived notions are wrong. "Midsommar" was a big step up for Aster, even if I thought at first that I didn't need to see it again because there were enough issues to keep me from being wholly satisfied. Said issues do still stand, i.e., the characters are as disposable as those in a slasher film, there's a family story-line that doesn't amount to anything, and perhaps the budget could have been dedicated to improving a few areas that made me laugh unintentionally. 

However, the pacing for a film of this length was excellent, the main story arc was engrossing, and the main set piece was stunning even with some of the obvious CGI. The more I think about it, the more I like it, and I have changed my mind as to seeing it again. I believe I will gladly be adding this to my collection in the near future.

I hope you all had a Safe and SPOOKY October!!

Only two months left in 2019 already, and still so much work to do. Thank you to all of those that take the time to check out A Journey Through Film!