We welcome strange and beautiful visitors with this week’s double feature of two underrated gems: “Under the Skin” and “Glorious”.
We begin, as always, with talk about the latest and greatest horror, cinema, and pop culture news.
We have franchises on our minds this week. We did not think The Pope’s Exorcist was a big hit. It underperformed at the box office, and whenever we heard about the Russel Crowe movie, it was just about how awful it was. Apparently, it has gathered a cult following. How big of a fanbase? Would you believe a trilogy?
We also talk about the new Matrix movie and the importance of knowing when to quit.
Then it’s on to this week’s double feature, a couple of underseen otherworldly films about dangerous visitors.
Scarlett Johansson is one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Big as in the second box office-grossing actor in the history of movies. She has acted in a number of different genres and is known the world over. But even she has starred in some films that did not set the box office on fire.
Released in 2013, Under the Skin is one of those that did not do as well, failing to recoup its $13 million (!) budget. We talk about its guerilla filmmaking, Johansson’s amazing performance, and why audiences will have trouble getting into it. Is this the best work on an impressive resume?
It seems like we are seeing a Lovecraft renaissance. The horror author has been a big influence on many, but his views have left him as a person of non-grata for a long time. But every week seems to bring us a new work inspired by him. (To be fair, Lovecraftian themes and ideas have never gone away.)
What is especially fun about this latest way of Lovecraftian horror is its willingness to try new themes. Take 2022’s Glorious.
The Shudder original takes many familiar themes, puts them in a road stop restroom, and makes a glory hole central to the plot. Does it work? And what about that wild twist?
Every week AIPT Movie Editor Nathaniel Muir and his cinema partner in crime Blake Heath discuss indie and genre movies you have have never heard of, the ones you cannot hear enough about, and the ones you never want to hear about again.
It is almost impossible to quantify what Roger Corman has done for horror. He pretty much invented B horror, launched the careers of some of the most talented directors of all time, and is behind some of the most iconic genre films of all time. His influence can be seen in the video box art that older fans pine about and in podcasts like our own. He is a true icon.
Typecasting is an interesting part of Hollywood. Some like scream queens and rom-com hunks lean into it. Others try to break out of the box others try to put them in. Think all of the comedic actors who have tried their hands at serious roles or child actors who appeared in more risque fare. It is always a shame to see an actor who obviously has a range of talents regulated to the same types of roles.
But what if an actor typecasts themselves?
Faceless After Dark stars Terrifer’s Jenna Kanell as an actor whose breakout role was in a movie about a killer clown. The synopsis is a little misleading (when she is held hostage by a fan dressed as said clown, she must do whatever she can to survive) as it is more of a revenge story than the logline implies. And that is just the first confusing thing.
The lead character is completely unlikable, the direction is headache inducing, and motivations are nonsensical. Are we supposed to root for Bowie Davidson (Kanell)? Why does she hate her fans so much? Is jealousy truly the root of all evil. Faceless After Dark has something to say, and it touches on real issues like toxic fandom and gender, but it is all done in a way that is confusing and just plain insulting. This movie was absolutely directed towards Terrifer fans and they are not going to like what it has to say.
Bruceploitation Month ends with the most famous Bruce Lee imitator of all. He was also the person who brought an end to the genre. Initially, Jackie Chan was supposed to continue in the footsteps of Dragon Lee, Bruce Li, Bruce Lea, and so many others. He did not want that and proceeded to carve out his own name. But not before he gave us 1976’s New Fist of Fury.
Xenophobia, confounding death scenes, a complete downer of an ending and, of course, a completely random Bruce Lee reference are all part of the film. It is a chance to see Jackie Chan very early in his career and has a powerful story to boot. At least, it seems powerful. Since the subtitles do not translate everything, we are left to assume that much of what is happening is very poignant and meaningful. The final shot certainly left us feeling something; too bad none of it was good.
Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful.
Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1.
Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com
Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror.
Intro by Julio Mena: Bandcamp | Instagram
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