The Ohio Sci-Fi and Horror Marathons

Couldn't agree more.

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Remember ... no matter where you go, there you are.

Wow, I have not checked the site in awhile. This surprises me. While I realize that Human Centipede and Audition are not for everyone, I feel they are an important part of the evolution of the horror film. They definitely should be seen by horror film enthusiasts especially if you wish to keep up on the current movement of horror....though Audition is a little older.

Hm, well, I didn't really think Audition pushed any limits though? I mean, it's just...boring. Sure, there's a moment or two that makes most people squirm, but the majority of the film builds up to about the last 5 minutes (I recently finished it on a movie bender not long ago). So my not recommending it has nothing to do with squeamishness...I just thought it was a dull film.

As for Human Centipede...meh, I read enough reviews about it, and it just seems like the shock value would be over quickly. Not to mention what I've heard from people who have seen it...most said it was simply dull.

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Six side is heaven/Nine side is go

Audition was boring to me. The whole movie didn't went anywhere. It's like watching Blood for Dracula all over again. The viral video Two Girls one Cup was more repulsive to me than Audition. Then said viral video didn't make me sick at all.

Now this is the same marathon that screen Italian cannibal flicks. I do want to see this movie at the marathon. The gore level is about the same as Cannibal Ferox.

Understandable....it's not exactly fast paced. I personally loved it. When I say "pushing the limits", I mean both in how extreme the films are and in how much they pushe the genre and it's definitions. My thinking was that Audition is part of the wave of Japanese horror which hit it's peak in the late 90's and early 2000's. There is no denying that all the Japanese horror had a big influence on the American horror scene. In that sense, I think it is an important film. It's certainly not as extreme as other Japanese horror films and most certainly mild compared to other Miike films, but it does pack a punch.

*nods* I see what you're saying. I didn't have any issues with the pacing though...I'd say it was more about the level of predictability for me.

I guess for me...things like Tomie (Wiki) were a little more along the lines of what Audition did for you. The idea that she is essentially an unstoppable, malevolent force (much like other characters such as in Ringu and so on) is intriguing to me.

Btw, your comment about the "big influence on the American horror scene" got me to thinking about all the remakes the American scene has been making...drives me mad. I know they are re-doing Battle Royale and I already fear that will suck. >.>

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Six side is heaven/Nine side is go

So there's actually 2 topics going on here: Human Centipede and Audition so I'll address them both.

1. Human Centipede is absolute garbage of the lowest common denominator. I can't stress how much I HATE that film and everything it stands for which can be summed up like this: "Let's think of a gross gimmick and make a crappy film in one week and cash in on the horror audience, because they'll watch anything!" It is cynical, cheap, poorly made, poorly acted, plotted, shot. Everything about it screams cheap cash in. And it's not even remotely disturbing or even half as disgusting as promised. It's mean spirited, cynical garbage and I'm glad I didn't give it my money. The first night it played in Chicago, one of the producers introduced the film and the only thing he had to say was "Here it is! The ass-to-mouth film!" This film has absolutely nothing to recommend it. I wanted to be disturbed and disgusted, but instead I was annoyed and bored. And seeing it with the audience I was with was torture. It seemed packed with frat boys who had clearly never seen a real exploitation film before. They laughed like hyenas at EVERYTHING. HAHAHA it's raining. HAHAHA they're going to the creepy house. HAHAHA he's got a funny accent. This cynical pre-packaged cult-film trend is so bogus and annoying to me. It only works when the filmmaker understands the conventions of the genre and then does something interesting and new with those conventions. Simply imitating what you think a cult film is, is boring. Now Takeshi Miike could have made a genuinely disturbing and uncomfortable film with this material, and even if it failed, it would be more interesting than this.

2. Audition is not a film for everyone. Mostly I say that because the first hour is not a horror film at all and bores a lot of people. I can understand that, and I always tell people that if they want to borrow it. But I think Audition has something a lot of Miike films lack and that is a linear plot and fully developed characters. I personally like the fact that the beginning is almost an anti-horror film, it makes the ending so much more powerful and painful to watch. My girlfriend watched the end with her back against the wall and clutching a pillow to her chest. Jen is right that the movie is predictable, in that you know the protagonist is in for a world of hurt, but I don't think anyone expected exactly the method of torture and horror. But I truly love the creepy and dreamlike atmosphere as our protagonist becomes a detective looking for his lost "love". I personally love the film but I totally understand when people say they don't. But I don't think anyone could call that Miike film poorly made or acted.

Did I mention I HATED Human Centipede?

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"I came here to chew bubble gum and kick a**. I'm all out of bubble gum."

Yes, but did you hate Human Centipede?

*runs away giggling*

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Six side is heaven/Nine side is go

Well....I will come clean. I enjoyed Human Centipede. I think the catch phrase "ass to mouth" horror is becoming a funny way to describe the film. I mean....there are no other films about grafting humans together ass to mouth. So I think it's just a funny....well...a funny thing to say. You know, saying "I love Vampire films," or I love "Slasher movies," it is understood what you mean. In this case, you got to admit, it's pretty funny to say "I love Ass to Mouth horror." What THE!!! I'm sure some writer referred to the film as that and it just stuck. They showed the film here in Los Angeles at the Cinefamily and they introduced it much the same way as they did in Chicago.

I like that the film starts off as a typical horror film - dumb girls, lost in the woods...it all seems so cliche. Then they meet the creepy guy in the house and the film becomes awkward and funny. It sort of lightens you up before the really twisted stuff starts.

It is cruel...I am not denying that. I don't believe it is just empty and mindless though. If the film belongs to a sub-genre, I would say it is body horror. What is more fearsome than not being in control of your own body and having to share your body with total strangers. Yeah....it's disgusting, but not nearly as much as I thought going into it.

I would never think this film is for everyone. It is interesting though....

Oh, and I have seen it twice. I must be sick!

I just didn't think it was well made Carter. It was clearly done by hacks.

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"I came here to chew bubble gum and kick a**. I'm all out of bubble gum."

If I had to categorize it, I would say 'torture porn' (i.e. Saw, Hostel, etc.) in my opinion. I thought it was OK, but definitely did not live up to the hype. I'm in no hurry to watch it again, not because it was disgusting, but because I didn't like it enough to warrant it.

Apparently someone is making a porn ripoff of it called Human Sexipede. Now that's strange....apparently in this film they are sewn mouth to genitals. Ha....really....is that needed....

just as i found out about the human centipede, i had to see it, and enjoyed it for what it was. a lower budget horror flick, with some really not normal things happening. i mean its not everyday, you see three people sewed together with their faces in each others ass. I mean, its shocking, and does it well for its budget. i mean, we dont have an Avatar budget here. so, for the more lacking parts of the film i understand. but it was still very enjoyable for me.

now, as soon as heard about the human sexipede...i am still waiting for it to be released. because, it sounds like one of the best pornos to come out since pirates.

Well I just saw that the Upper Arlington Library just added the uncut Human Centipede (Blu Ray) to its catalog. Now I can remove it from my Netflix queue.