Tag: horror

The Platform (2019)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

I almost didn’t recommend this one as it was on the Netflix Top 10 when it was first released, and has received a lot of press. However, The Platform deserves that attention AND is very much Anomalous Cinema. This movie skillfully blends horror and sci-fi, into a borderline-art film. Now let’s hope this leads to Netflix releasing more even more daring and intelligent weirdo features.

FYI – I recommend if you watch ANY foreign content made after 1990 on Netflix, you do so in it’s original language with subtitles. Netflix’s English dubbing is absolutely horrible 99% of the time.

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema please consider donating any amount via Paypal using this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Ganja & Hess (1973)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Dr. Hess Green is stabbed three times by a mystical dagger and becomes a different kind of vampire. Different is an understatement with this experimental dream of a movie. Director Bill Gunn was tasked with delivering his version of Blackula. Instead he made an art film in the guise of horror. Despite an award at the Cannes Film Festival, the original cut was butchered down to a more commercial version, and faded into cinema history. Thankfully MoMA and Kino Lorber were able to restore the original version. They didn’t do the drastic restoration job that we’re used to these days either. The film probably looks similar to when it was first shown, warts and all. That was a wise choice, as polishing Ganja & Hess would have taken away from all the elements that make it special.

This movie will not be to everyone’s taste. It challenges your attention span at times, and then challenges your sense of decency. That’s why I love it. Additionally you get to see Duane Jones (Night of the Living Dead) in his very best screen performance. That should be reason enough to see this, but the script is great, and the music is excellent as well. Watch with patience and you might just appreciate it as much as I do.

Blu-ray available from Kino Classics.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

The Skull (1965)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Here’s an entertaining Technicolor British horror film starring Peter Cushing (also with Anomalous Cinema favorites Patrick Magee and Christopher Lee). Those facts alone don’t sell you on this? Well, it is not just any old possessed skull. It’s the former head of… the Marquis de Sade himself (insert thunder sound effect here)! In spite of what the poster and trailer want you to think, this is slow, suspenseful horror. Know that going in, and you’ll probably enjoy it.

Available on Blu-ray from KL Studio Classics.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Hold the Dark (2018)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

I think this one got overlooked or underrated by a lot of people as it is a bit long and deliberately slow. This is not in-your-face horror or blockbuster action. The crafted look and pace lean more towards an art film. If you can get yourself into the right frame of mind you will see that Hold the Dark is an almost flawless movie. Director Jeremy Saulnier has made three excellent films in a row (plus work on True Detective), and I’m looking forward to his next one, Rebel Ridge.

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema please consider donating any amount via Paypal using this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Rabid (1977)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Experimental plastic surgery leads to the zombie apocalypse. This is arguably David Cronenberg’s best early film. Yes, the low budget shows at times. However this is intelligent, action-packed horror, and among my all-time favorites. It’s a shame Marilyn Chambers wasn’t able to permanently transition into legit acting. She’s good in this movie.

Blu-ray available from Shout Factory.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

The Oily Maniac (1976)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

The Shaw Brothers made this absolutely bonkers horror / action flick years before The Toxic Avenger. It is even more gloriously ridiculous than Toxie. You might just enjoy this movie so much you have to own the collectible vinyl figure (it ain’t cheap though).

Import Blu-ray available from 88 Films.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Let the Right One In (2008)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Most seasoned horror nerds have seen this already. If you happened to have missed this one, get on it. Let the Right One In is a very artistic and emotional vampire movie of the highest order. The film is deliberately paced, so watch with some patience.

Available on Blu-ray from Magnolia.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Inferno (1980)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is one of my favorite Dario Argento films, and is arguably his weirdest. The movie also features some of his most memorable set pieces, so buckle up if you’ve never seen it before. The key to truly appreciating Inferno is to keep in mind that it’s intentionally constructed using dream / nightmare logic. I saw a film screening of this once and someone near me kept making self-righteous noises any time something illogical happened. That jerk missed out on a really special experience. This movie has a few flaws, but you’ll forgive them in the end… unless you’re a jerk.

Blu-ray available from Blue Underground.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

“Your mother and I saw this advance movie screening last night. It was WEIRD. Here’s a shirt.” Yeah, I first heard about this one from my conservative parents. I saw it not long after and absolutely loved it. Jacob’s Ladder is negative as hell, with a fractured narrative, but is also beautifully constructed and acted. If you have never seen this before, get ready for a dark ride.

Damn I wish I still had that shirt.

Blu-ray available from Lion’s Gate.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Parents (1989)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

A young boy begins to realize his 1950s-ideal parents are cannibals. Parents is a high-quality, funny, dark, weird film, with a great soundtrack. It also features Randy Quaid before he lost his damn mind, and was directed by Bob Balaban who you may recognize as an actor from Seinfeld, Altered States, Ghost World, etc. This is 100% Certified Anomalous Cinema here folks.

Blu-ray available from Vestron.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.