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Filmnerdness 101

Filmnerdness 101

@filmnerdness101.bsky.social

24 followers 31 following 250 posts

Cinephile, pop-culture enthusiast, former movies/music/comics/games journalist and critic, and sometimes writer, podcasts guest, and filmmaker

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Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 1h

Tonight, I’m watching one of my favorite westerns, Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch. This Blu-ray is the original director’s cut (a.k.a. the European cut), which I’m not sure whether I’ve seen before. Regardless, I’m jazzed. What a cast. What a script. What direction. It’s brilliant, and a classic.

The Wild Bunch (1969) ⭐ 7.9 | Action, Adventure, Drama

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 3d

One of the dumbest Internet challenges ever.

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 3d

One of my comfort-food movies for nearly 20 years has been Rocky Balboa. I watch it a few times a year, and I’m breaking it out tonight. Such a wonderful viewing experience. Such heart and warmth.

Rocky Balboa (2006) ⭐ 7.1 | Drama, Sport

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 4d

31 Days of Horror-HALLOWEEN:
The White Reindeer (1952)

For the second (maybe third) time ever, this year, I completed the 31DoH Challenge of watching a horror film each day this month. Concluding the festivities tonight with this Finnish schism-mode horror-fantasy.

First-time watch
Source: Shudder

The White Reindeer (1952) ⭐ 6.9 | Drama, Fantasy, Horror

1h 14m | Not Rated

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 4d

Best. Horror double feature. Ever? Rewatched them both this month.

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 4d

31 Days of Horror - HALLOWEEN:
Necropolis (1986)

Ten minutes in, I was ready to shut off this Charles Band production. Glad I didn’t. It’s often laughable and confusing, but the parts that pay off PAY OFF. And the synth score slaps. I’ll be revisiting this one.

First-time watch
Source: Prime

Necropolis (1986) ⭐ 3.8 | Fantasy, Horror

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 5d

31 Days of Horror - Halloween Eve:
Suspiria (1977)

I’m a giallo fan, and this is my favorite one. Dario Argento’s haunting, often-imitated masterpiece boasts a sumptuous, memorable score by Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin. The 2018 remake is also superb.

Source: Synapse 4K Blu-ray

Suspiria (1977) ⭐ 7.3 | Horror

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 5d

31 Days of Horror - Day 29:
Candyman (1992)

My love for Candyman knows no bounds. Clive Barker’s masterful nightmare comes to life via the legendary Tony Todd. Virginia Madsen and Xander Berkeley are key to bringing this urban fantasy to life. And the cinematography is incredible.

Source: DVD

Candyman (1992) ⭐ 6.7 | Horror, Thriller

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 6d

In case there are any Fred Dekker fans here who want to get in on this sale. I just ordered mine. Love me some Tom Atkins, especially as Detective Ray Cameron.

Night Of The Creeps [Collector's Edition] + Exclusive NECA Figure + Ex

'A fantastic horror movie ... There is so much to love about Night Of The Creeps that I have no idea where to begin.' – Bloody DisgustingThrill me! When an alien experiment goes awry, it crashes to Ea...

shoutfactory.com

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 6d

31 Days of Horror - Day 29:
In the Mouth of Madness (1994)

This is the most Lovecraft non-Lovecraft film ever. The camerawork has this filtered look like it’s a made-for-TV movie, but nonetheless effectively creepy. And the cast delivers. I’m a longtime fan.

Source: DVD

In the Mouth of Madness (1994) ⭐ 7.1 | Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 7d

31 Days of Horror - Day 28:
The Lords of Salem (2012)

Many Rob Zombie fans consider this his worst film. I enjoy some of his other filmmaking efforts, but this is my favorite RZ movie by far. It’s so atmospheric, immersive. I want to live there. Plus Meg Foster wows. And that score.

Source:Blu-ray

The Lords of Salem (2012) ⭐ 5.2 | Horror, Thriller

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 8d

31 Days of Horror - Day 27:
Night of the Demons (1988)

This is probably my favorite Linnea Quigley film. I say that as a fan of hers since the ‘80s. She brings an intelligent tude and a dark humor to her performances that I greatly admire. Plus, NotD is damn fun.

Source: Scream Factory Blu-ray

Night of the Demons (1988) ⭐ 6.1 | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 9d

31 Days of Horror -
HALLOWEEKEND Day 3:
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010)

For me, for the last dozen-plus years, there has been no October without Tucker and Dale. Would’ve loved to see a trilogy (Tucker and Dale vs. Armageddon, etc.), but I’m thankful to have this gem to watch.

Source: Blu-ray

Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010) ⭐ 7.5 | Comedy, Horror

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 10d

31 Days of Horror -
HALLOWEEKEND Day 2:
Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)

A perennial fave for me and my family. Schlocky ‘80s goodness from the Chiodo Brothers that’s legit (intentionally) funny, with superb SFX and a cool, memorable score.

Source: DVD

Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) ⭐ 6.2 | Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 10d

The abbreviated commentary track with choice cuts from it is on YouTube. Either way, jaw dropping.

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 11d

31 Days of Horror -
HALLOWEEKEND Day 1:
The Haunting (1963)

A classic. The haunted-house subgenre has no finer example, and Robert Wise masterfully directed this cornerstone of horror cinema.

Source: DVD

The Haunting (1963) ⭐ 7.4 | Horror

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 11d

31 Days of Horror -
HALLOWEEKEND Day 1:
The Giant Claw (1957)

Super-schlocky ‘50s sci-fi about a big bird of unknown origin flying around terrorizing the United States. The giant bird SFX are awful, and the writing isn’t a whole lot better, but this is a lot of fun to watch.

Source: Goodtimes VHS

The Giant Claw (1957) ⭐ 4.6 | Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi

1h 15m | Approved

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 12d

I ❤️ Guillermo del Toro
#guillermodeltoro
#noaiinart

Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro says 'I'd rather die' than use generative AI

Del Toro's new Frankenstein adaption reimagines Mary Shelley's 1818 Gothic novel. Frankenstein was like a tech bro: "creating something without considering the consequences," he explains.

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 12d

31 Days of Horror - Day 23:
Slime City (1988)

The acting sucks. The camerawork is à la the I Once Saw A Movie School of Cinematography. The dialogue contains words. The SFX aren’t. And I enjoyed it. If you appreciate such ostensible cinema, here’s 80 minutes for you.

First-time watch
Source: Tubi

Slime City (1988) ⭐ 5.2 | Horror

1h 21m | Not Rated

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 13d

31 Days of Horror - Day 22:
Viy (1967)

This 77-minute work of folk horror flies by, and you won’t look away. It’s a masterpiece with a simple and oft-told tale, boasting gripping visuals and SFX. I break it out at least every few years for October.

Source: Severin Blu-ray

Viy (1967) ⭐ 7.2 | Drama, Fantasy, Horror

1h 17m | Not Rated

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 14d

31 Days of Horror - Day 21:
Pontypool (2008)

I’ve banged the drum for this underrated gem since before it came out, when I was a professional pop-culture critic. It’s brilliant both in concept and execution. Stephen McHattie steals the show, and the atmosphere holds you breathless.

Source: DVD

Pontypool (2008) ⭐ 6.5 | Horror, Sci-Fi

1h 33m | Not Rated

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 15d

21 Days of Horror - Day 2:
Vampyr (1932)

Some cry blasphemy but I’ve long considered this the best vampire movie ever. Carl Dreyer’s nearly silent film oozes eerie atmosphere, and for the time, the SFX visuals were heretofore unseen. A slow burn, it’s also a brisk 73-minutes.

Source: Criterion DVD

Vampyr (1932) ⭐ 7.4 | Fantasy, Horror

1h 15m | Approved

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 15d

Vampyr (1932)

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 16d

31 Days of Horror - Day 19:
The Ugly Stepsister (2025)

I went in ostensibly with zero expectations, avoided spoilers, etc., but this apparently was still not what I was expecting. Held me rapt. Superlatives aplenty, and I dig its style. I’ll be revisiting this one.

First-time watch
Source: Shudder

The Ugly Stepsister (2025) ⭐ 7.0 | Comedy, Drama, Horror

1h 49m | Not Rated

Filmnerdness 101 @filmnerdness101.bsky.social · 16d

31 Days of Horror - Day 19:
The Final Girls (2015)

A must-see in the horror-comedy-slasher-homage subgenre. It’s up there with Tucker & Dale and Behind the Mask. But FG surpasses those in its pathos. Plus it has some shots that any slasher movie would give an arm and a virgin to have.

Source: DVD

The Final Girls (2015) ⭐ 6.5 | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror