Filmnerdness 101
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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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One of the dumbest Internet challenges ever.
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
1h 42m | PG
m.imdb.com
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
m.imdb.com
Best. Horror double feature. Ever? Rewatched them both this month.
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
1h 17m | R
m.imdb.com
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
1h 32m | R
m.imdb.com
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
1h 39m | R
m.imdb.com
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
1h 35m | R
m.imdb.com
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
1h 41m | R
m.imdb.com
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
1h 30m | R
m.imdb.com
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
1h 29m | R
m.imdb.com
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
1h 28m | PG-13
m.imdb.com
The abbreviated commentary track with choice cuts from it is on YouTube. Either way, jaw dropping.
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
1h 52m | G
m.imdb.com
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
m.imdb.com
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
m.imdb.com
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
m.imdb.com
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
m.imdb.com
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
m.imdb.com
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
m.imdb.com
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
1h 31m | PG-13
m.imdb.com
The second one is edited better, a more cohesive story in general, and (as much as I love Barker) more effectively directed. To be fair, I realize the first one was Barker’s inaugural foray as a director, and he was wearing many hats for that production.