Scheduled today off from work so I'll go ahead and post a quick recap.
First off I'm usually always astonished at the presentation on the front end each time I walk into the theater for one of these events. I know Joe said at one point the decorating team was a little short handed this year but I don't think it showed at all. Whoever makes the life size posters that go up in the lobby deserves a big hand, they do an outstanding job every year. I saw 6 or 7 people taking selfies in front of the giant from Twin Peaks. The canvas of the log lady was also outstanding.
I'll also agree that the food selection this year was good. I missed out back in March when we had the opportunity to order crepes so I was happy to see that option returned this fall. The ham and cheese crepe I got was good, as was the hot dog I got later on in the event. I really liked the idea of having two colors of t-shirts this year. The purple seemed to sell out pretty fast.
As for the movies, I'll agree generally with what has already been said. I don't know if I'd label the marathon necessarily as slow for me but I'd definitely label it as challenging. It seemed like it was over before I knew it but I also fell asleep through large portions of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne as well as House by the Cemetery. Top to bottom, there wasn't a movie I really disliked. But like cleazer said above, I found the schedule fairly challenging in terms of serious dramatic movies back to back to back.
I knew going in that I was going to be blown away by
Deathgasm and it certainly did not disappoint. Watching it with the crowd was easily the high point of the marathon for me. Joe and Bruce have had tremendous wins the last three marathons with the premieres they booked. Deathgasm was the movie I left the marathon telling my friends about. I couldn't find one thing not to like about watching it in the marathon setting.
I'll also shout some of the same praise for
German Angst. For a second premiere I thought it was outstanding. Going in I was convinced this would be one of the more challenging movies of the event. The trailer didn't sell me on it and I honestly think I just wanted to move on quickly to the next film which was Dawn of the Dead. That said, I'm happy to eat my words and say I enjoyed all three of the stories. Some of the reveals in the stories were a little confusing but from an enjoyment standpoint I was happily surprised in German Angst. The second story with the amulet and the flashbacks to WWII had me from the start and was easily my favorite. The third story had a weird Sin City vibe to me with the narration and I have to say I really enjoyed it too. The first segment was easily the weakest but was at least enjoyable. All in all I'm really glad to say I had the chance to watch this movie.
I was also happily surprised with
Shock Value: The Movie. I tend to like movies that involve short segmented stories because if I don't quite care for one another one is only a few minutes away. I didn't quite care for Carpenter's 'Captain Voyeur' but I found the rest decent. 'Judson's Release' was clearly the highlight of the compilation for me, but I got to say I also really enjoyed Dan O'bannon's 'Blood Bath' and 'Good Morning Dan'.
I have never seen
Night of the Creeps but after hearing some talk of it before the marathon and seeing that it would close I had decently high expectations walking in the door. It met them for the most part, and was a fitting closing film but the whole time I felt like there was something missing. I can't quite figure out what, and it could be in part to the expectations I had going in but something just wasn't there for me. Really glad I saw it with the marathon crowd, and its definitely on my list of movies to check out again down the road.
As for the rest of the movies, like I said earlier there really wasn't a movie I completely disliked. I could see how
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me could mentioned but as a fan of the show I enjoyed it for the most part. Compared to the show, I found myself having a harder time empathizing with Laura and I think that hurt the movie a little bit.
The Devil Rides Out was a lot of fun and seemed to play at the right time. I'll say the same thing
The Killer Shrews. For a movie that takes place most of the time in a cabin with dogs covered in carpet I found myself having a lot of fun.
Dawn of the Dead was great as always.
I ended up sleeping through large chunks of
House by the Cemetery and
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne so I don't really have much to say about those. What I saw during House by the Cemetery I enjoyed and will revisit later. I'll throw
It Follows in this section only because I saw it in theaters when it came out this year and saw it again when my blu-ray copy from Amazon came in the mail. It Follows still is one of my favorite movies of the year but seeing it for the third time in 7 months was a little bit much for me.
Lastly
The Keep is near the bottom for me. I appreciate the opportunity to see it but something really didn't click with me. Playing it first was a great decision, any other time I wouldn't have enjoyed it. Being first I was able to carry in all the pre-marathon excitement and battle my way through it and enjoy it to a degree. Best part about showing the movie is that it introduced us to the book. My wife bought a copy down at Acorn Books in Grandview and after watching the film I'm excited to have the opportunity to read the book which I hear is much better.
Again, lots of praise and thanks to Joe, Bruce, the Drexel staff and everyone else that puts in time to bring us the marathon. They're easily my two favorite events of the year and I already find myself looking forward to March. The crowd was great and everyone that sound around us was friendly and very respectful. Cheers again to another great event, see everyone again in March.
cleazer wrote:
House By the Cemetery - ... Anyone know if it's on netflix, etc?
Just did a search and it looks like House by the Cemetery is on Hulu right now. I was able to play the first 5 minutes so I don't think you need a Hulu Plus subscription to watch it but you never know with them.