Nintwelve's Mobile Zombie Blog

The Three Mothers

2010-04-06T09:04:00.001-07:00

The Three Mothers (Le Tre madri in Italian) is a trilogy of supernatural horror films by Italian film director Dario Argento. It consists of 1977's Suspiria, 1980's Inferno and the 2007 film The Mother of Tears. Each film deals with one of the titular "Mothers", a triumvirate of ancient and evil witches whose powerful magic allows them to manipulate world events on a global scale. - Wikipedia

I'm fortunate enough to live in a city that has Exhumed Films. A group that shows films in their original 35 MM. After seeing Argento's Proffando Rosso in the theature I promptly went out and got all movies my wages as a movie theature projectionist afforded. Back in the 90's it wasn't difficult to find a decent cut of an Argento flick- but it wasn't easy either. My collection drew from sources up and down the east coast, Philadelphia to Ontario Canada. Any used movie store, major chain or flea market became a playground where I might find a familiar director, alternate title or a hint of 'something new'.

Back before the internet made movies point and click you had to dig. Searching for your very own copy of a bootleg you saw in your friends basement a year ago or a 'video nasty' you heard someone mention off hand became an adventure. Driving to new york because you might find a restored cut of Gates of Hell or taking a weekend trip to Canada because you know they had the uncut version of Tenebre was part of the game. You were a detective and each clue was as good as finding your prized movie. The deeper you got the more wonder and mystery you found. Discovering horror movies for me wasn't just tripping down the rabbit hole- it was falling for an eternity locked in battle with the Balrog.

Its in that context I look back on finally getting a copy of Suspiria, wrapped in cellophane with a 3rd rate recycled box cover to the VHS, and driving breakneck speed back to my house and 12'' TV. The character's curiocity or simple association sent them willingly into a mysterious world full of dark and new things. A world that was built before they were born and it seemed that once entered had dominion over your every action.

So I am Susie Banyon.

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2009-10-22T17:37:00.001-07:00

1022091101a.jpg, originally uploaded by ninetwelveband.

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2009-10-12T17:13:00.001-07:00

1012092010.jpg, originally uploaded by ninetwelveband.

Hell yes!

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2009-10-06T14:25:00.003-07:00

1006091723.jpg, originally uploaded by ninetwelveband.

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2009-10-06T14:25:00.001-07:00

1006091723a.jpg, originally uploaded by ninetwelveband.

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2009-09-01T09:59:00.001-07:00

0901091258.jpg, originally uploaded by ninetwelveband.

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2009-08-24T07:28:00.001-07:00

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2009-08-09T13:47:00.001-07:00

0809091645.jpg, originally uploaded by ninetwelveband.

Blue skies. Barfie Burgers. Girls!

Cannibal Holocaust (in 2009 we still have this debate?)

2009-07-07T12:27:00.000-07:00

Fellow lowbrow-cinema lover Suspiria_89 (link broken?) gives us a review of the infamous Cannibal Holocaust.

To quote him out of context:

"Cannibal Holocaust is a masterpiece..."

To translate: its very offensive.

No one could ever suggest this movie is well directed, well acted, well produced, well written, well shot or in any other way redeeming on its aesthetic qualities. Leaving us with the only meat this movie has. Rape and mutilation.

" by far the most brutal rape scene ever filmed(IMO) even though it doesn't last very long. Their are also a couple of other rape scenes in the movie, but none of them are as unforgettable as the first. The gore effects in this movie are simply amazing."

Claims our little horror brat. Well lets harken back to my yesterday's blog and consider the more recent far more disturbing Irreversible. Questionable in its realism and unyeilding with its commentary (the onlooker who walks away suggests the audience's own morbid fascination as they continue to sit through the uncomfortably long scene) this is maybe not the "best" rape scene (and what that means I'm scared to ask) but is certainly more profound and more gritty.

Further the gore effects are helped tremendously by the prot-blair-witch-docu-horror style. Grainy shaky camera work makes it easy to suggest what the eye thinks it sees. Further it doesn't take Rick Baker to realize this film is amateurish at best with hits special effects attempts even when you consider the lack of budget.

The reviewer in this case is echoing the whispers and hype that existed before this films American wide screen debut (i was there) and subsiquent DVD release. The movie is not as good, not as disturbing and not as... interesting as people claim.

A few ironies tho:

The plot is based around a group of filmmakers who create false documentaries- however the footage shown of their previous work is actually Cambodian Kamir Roughe killing villiagers without mercy. Entertainment eh?

Also I believe the closing line of the movie lost something in translatoin. The canibals, sir, are the ones eating each other. The "savages" are the subject of the film. Get it right or pay the price!

Holocaust is a specific phrase which means death by fire (look it up buddies). No cannibals were burned in the filming of this bore-fest.

I think "Cannibal Genocide" is more accurate... but only slightly.

And finaly.

"Bottom Line is that Cannibal Holocaust is a great horror movie and one of the most brutal and disturbing movies ever made."

This is not a horror film. There is no suspense and nor is there any moment of the movie meant to instill fear. Its an exploitation film of the worst kind- but not a horror film. It belongs on the shelf next to that porographic fuck of shit Passion of the Christ.

France the new Pittsburgh? No.

2009-07-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

Fellow zombiest Matt Barone of Theature of Mine makes a bold statement.

There’s hardly been any doubt, but now it’s really official: France has become the most consistent output of great-looking, extreme, kicks-Hollywood’s-ass horror.

I raised an eyebrow at this and had a sinking feeling he was about to continue....

Two years ago, we were blessed with the Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo masterwork Inside, and 2008 brought Pascal Laugier’s tough-to-watch exercise in intelligent bleakness Martyrs. This new wave was kickstarted back in 2003 by Alexandre Aja’s slasher-flick-on-overload High Tension, and those sick French bastards have yet to fall back.

Over produced brutality, while satisfying the gore-hound and trope junkie in me, is at best a interesting cultural phenomonion and hardly puts France on the map. Are films like In My Skin and Irreversible more brutal and thought provoking (not to mention written, acted, shot and lit) better than hollywood's latest horror offerings? Certainly.

However the more-holes-than-courtney-love-could-fill-in-an-evening plot of High Tension and predicable generic acting hardly felt like 'overload' to me. The word "Load" did come to mind during the curious reggae lesbo-masturbation scene but I hardly felt thrilled. And yes- I saw it in a theature in the original language. I also saw it dubbed on a nice big plasma tv. It sucked blue-white-and-red in any language.

And inside... someome gave a pervert a blood budget. Which in my book is fine. To be honest I loved the August Underground series even if they were.. well just porn with puke. But just because its French doesn't mean we should ascribe any more depth to artistic torture-porn than we would Turistas.

None the less on the zombie ticket... The Horde does look pretty fucking cool.

I intend to drink a few Wild Zeros and veg out to it whenever I can afford vodka again.

Blog Crosslink (Cultured Zombies)

2009-07-06T11:39:00.000-07:00

Read a great PSA from a fellow monsterblogger:

I just wanted to take a moment and clarify the difference between Classic Zombies and New Zombies. Why this is important I really don't know, but it seems to be. The original movie zombie first appeared in White Zombie, an independent production starring Bela Lugosi.

See the full article: http://thedysfunctionalzombie.blogspot.com/2009/07/cultured-zombies.html

ZOMBIE ANTS

2009-07-06T09:30:00.001-07:00

2009-06-12T14:56:00.000-07:00

Soak watermelon chunks in vodka for 24 hours.

De seed and mash watermelon pulp.

Mix w 1/3rd Vodka, 1/3rd Sprite and grenadine.

Server chilled with spoon!

The Final product should resemble bloody brains in a glass.

IF you want to have a 'Wild Zero" change the ratio too: 1/3rd Saturated Watermelon / 2/3rds Sweet Sake.

IF you want to get very fancy add: http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/ak-bullet-ice-cube-tray.html Ice Cubes.

Call it a: Ben on Ice (GET IT?)