The Devoured XIV
What I Watched & A Visit to the King
Went to Bangor, Maine for the long weekend to visit my friend Peter (hi Peter!) where I got to explore Stephen King’s old haunts.
News:
Alien: Romulus was released on VHS, as part of a growing trend. If anyone is selling a television with a built-in VCR player, let me KNOW. Looking to build a small collection of horror tapes.
Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated Nosferatu is getting good reviews. I try to avoid them, but I have been salivating for this one for far too long.
Housekeeping:
For MovieJawn, I wrote about The Stuff and what it tastes like: Read it here. Every once in a blue moon the insecurity monster gets me, and I really struggled with trying to write this one. Ah well, on to the next!
I also wrote a review for He Never Left.
If you never got a zine, please let me know! I love the post office, but it also sucks.
Watched:
Starry Eyes (2014) 4/5
Shudder, AMC+, Peacock
Genuinely surprised this one isn’t being talked about in the context of a few movies that have come out this year. I won’t reveal which ones to spoil it for ya, but even if you haven’t seen them, this is a great watch.
PEAK 2014 fashion. Every single one of these artsy bitches has a tumblr account.
For you if you love: Hollywood horror stories
Firestarter (1984) 2.5/5
Max
Tedious, with a solid ending that still doesn’t make up for a boring film. A major influence for Eleven’s background in Stranger Things.
For you if you love: cute kids, the government getting their ass handed to them, Carrie
The Vourdalak (2023) 4/5
Kanopy
This was a gorgeous, haunting vampire folktale; the only thing worse than grief is not being allowed to grieve.
The same story was told in 1963’s Black Sabbath, starring Boris Karloff as the Vourdalak, and since it’s tricky to hold a candle to such an icon, they went in an entirely different direction for the design of the Vourdalak. AND IT FUCKING RULES. MORE MORE LIKE THIS PLEASE PLEASE.
For you if you love: The Witch, unique creature designs, folktales
The Vanishing (1988) 4/5
An excellent portrayal of that mounting horror that something horrific has happened to a loved one!! That sickness that grief is just around the corner!!
The setup to this is fantastic, and I loved that the killer is just a regular-seeming-ass-dude. Rex’s obsession with the missing case of Saskia is lost on me, but I get that that’s his character. Great ending.
For you if you love: The Silence of the Lambs, neo-noir, true crime
Pulse (2001) 4/5
Max, Shudder, AMC+
From the same director of the masterpiece, Cure comes Pulse, an Internet-powered ghost story. With nonlinear interconnected storylines and an Allie too sleepy to watch in one viewing, I was unfortunately a little confused by the story.
But. It’s got that cold 2000’s-era creepiness, a fresh take on ghosts, and killer sound design. Very cool movie that would likely yield a higher rating on my part with another viewing.
For you if you love: The Ring, the static-y part of Skinamarink, isolation themes
The Pope’s Exorcist (2023) 3/5
Netflix
Two people primed me for this film; that it was a fun ride and that Russell Crowe would one day pay for his accent crimes. Stupid, but hits all the classic possession notes.
“Let’s go to work-” “Let’s go to to Hell.”
For you if you love: watching movies and eating popcorn with your friends while not really paying attention, bad CGI
Anyone watching the final season of What We Did in the Shadows? I’m binging from the beginning to prepare. I love this show so much if the ending isn’t satisfying, I’m going to stake myself.
xo,
the walls that dripped blood in the shape of the name ‘allie lembo’
omg wait, RE: Firestarter, is that Baby Drew Barrymore?