Badmovies.org Forum

I know some of you, like me, have these free on-demand movies through your cable system.  The following channels offer free selections: Sundance, Film Festival, Independent Film Channel, and (most importantly) FearNet.  The films above are the ones of marginal interest to me that are showing through the month of December; I'll probably only view three or four of them.  I thought I'd solicit some input from the board to see if any of these come with either a "recommended" or an "avoid" tag. 

Ju-on, the Japanese original of the Grudge - made it about ten minutes into that.  It was just boring.  The lead actress was terrible.  Vastly prefer the American remake.  I dunno, everybody seems to say the Japanese version was so much better. Not me  :teddyr:

I suggest LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT even if you watch it just for its historic value.  This is one of my favorite drive-in movies.  It's interesting to see what was considered "shocking" in the early 1970s.  This movie is pretty tame compared to the over-the-top torture porn flicks of today.  But it's still a sleaze classic, best watched after midnight.

The Serpent and the Rainbow. An awesome movie. I usually dont like Bill Pullman, but he didnt bother me in this. Its the only zombie movie I know that is actually based on true (or at least semi-true) incidents.

my main gripe with fearnet is the pop-up ads at the bottom of the screen, and the half-way commercial breaks. still, for free, whaddya' gon' do?

I liked the Serpent and the Rainbow.  I thought that it was kind of realistic.  The people under the stairs was goofy, but fun to watch.  The others I have not heard of, so I could not tell you about them.

I say just take the plunge and watch all of them.  What do you have to loose besides you sanity.

Later,

JOHN

Quote from: ToyMan on December 03, 2008, 08:59:48 PM
my main gripe with fearnet is the pop-up ads at the bottom of the screen, and the half-way commercial breaks. still, for free, whaddya' gon' do?

I couldn't tolerate watching this for 5 seconds - - forget about it being free (I DO pay my cable bill) - - even if they paid me I wouldn't watch something with pop ups cluttering up the screen.  I would go berserk.

I'm a cyborg, a bizarre movie with spectacular visual effects

I've seen People Under the Stairs and Serpent & the Rainbow. I agree with JPickett "People" was loopy and a bit uneven but still kind of fun. If you don't expect too much you'll like it. "Serpent" was pretty cool. We need more horror movies like this one. It really pulls you in.

2001 Maniacs- kind of wierd, bloody, you get teased more with nudity than you actually see but it's watchable and intruiging.

Christmas Evil- I watched on Demand just a little while ago, it kind of drones on and on, if you have time I'd suggest you watch it for the ske of it but it's pretty boring unless someone's getting killed, which doesn't happen as often as I'd have liked.

Quote from: The Burgomaster on December 03, 2008, 07:25:06 PM
I suggest LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT even if you watch it just for its historic value.  This is one of my favorite drive-in movies.  It's interesting to see what was considered "shocking" in the early 1970s.  This movie is pretty tame compared to the over-the-top torture porn flicks of today.  But it's still a sleaze classic, best watched after midnight.

Don't agree with you there, Burgomaster.  LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT is deeply disturbing to me, still shocking, and the so-called "torture porn" flicks of today are the "tame" ones (like THE DEVIL'S REJECTS) and owe much to LAST HOUSE.  It's not the gore, it's the cruelty of the thing.  I suppose one must be inured to suffering to consider this "pretty tame" and a "favorite drive-in" movie.  I despise that movie, but recognize its importance.  Ugh. 

PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS is dumb, but fun.  SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW is good, too. 

Quote from: The Burgomaster on December 04, 2008, 11:46:16 AM

Quote from: ToyMan on December 03, 2008, 08:59:48 PM
my main gripe with fearnet is the pop-up ads at the bottom of the screen, and the half-way commercial breaks. still, for free, whaddya' gon' do?

I couldn't tolerate watching this for 5 seconds - - forget about it being free (I DO pay my cable bill) - - even if they paid me I wouldn't watch something with pop ups cluttering up the screen.  I would go berserk.

It IS annoying, although the pop-ups aren't constant and you learn to tune them out.  Also annoying is the fact that all of these movies are presented pan-and-scan: even the Sundance Channel ones (aren't these supposed to be aimed at film fanatics who actually care about such things?)  That's one of the reasons that I'll get it on DVD if it's something I really am looking forward to seeings--I usually only watch the ones that I'm marginally interested in on On Demand.

The mini-debate between Burgomaster and AHD about LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT is, I guess, the reason I'm interested in it.  I don't like most "disturbing" movies, but if there's a lot of talk about them I'll sometimes get sucked in to seeing them so I can judge for myself.  Almost always, I end up being disappointed with the experience, but at least I can weigh in on the topic next time it comes around.

Thanks for the recommendations so far. 

I've seen all the movies except Aaltra, Adaptation, Christmas Evil, and I'm a Cyborg.

I have kind of been wanting to watch Christmas Evil because 'tis the season and all, but part of the summary scared me off - a boy sees his mother making love to his father dressed as Santa - I really love Santa and don't want this vision burned into my brains.

If you want to ENJOY yourself don't watch Last House on the Left!  Me and my friend rented this years ago because everyone talks about it beng like a cult classic and Wes Craven's first movie, blahblahblah, and we wanted to be all hardcore and watch it.  Well after we watched it sparked a debate as to why this was in the horror section of the video store.  I said "It horrified me!", but there's no fun zombies or ghosts in it like you like in horror movies so she didn't think it should have been in the horror section.  I think they need to make a new genre for these movies and call it SADISTIC so you know what you're getting into.

I would suggest, for fun, 2001 Maniacs cuz it's got cute ol' Robert Englund, or People Under the Stairs.

If you're going to watch Last House, watch it first and then watch 2001 Maniacs to make yourself feel better.

Yes, Rev, check out LAST HOUSE and decide for yourself.  Consider it an education.  Anyone who can claim a film featuring humiliation, sexual assault, and murder as a "favorite" has developed a thick skin.  :thumbdown:  :bluesad:

Quote from: Paquita on December 05, 2008, 02:17:55 AM

I have kind of been wanting to watch Christmas Evil because 'tis the season and all, but part of the summary scared me off - a boy sees his mother making love to his father dressed as Santa - I really love Santa and don't want this vision burned into my brains.

I watched it a while ago, there's no nudity and Santa just kisses a pantyhosed leg, hardly can be infeered that it's "making love."

Quote from: Patient7 on December 06, 2008, 01:48:07 PM

Quote from: Paquita on December 05, 2008, 02:17:55 AM

I have kind of been wanting to watch Christmas Evil because 'tis the season and all, but part of the summary scared me off - a boy sees his mother making love to his father dressed as Santa - I really love Santa and don't want this vision burned into my brains.

I watched it a while ago, there's no nudity and Santa just kisses a pantyhosed leg, hardly can be infeered that it's "making love."

What is the non-sexual interpretation of Santa kissing a panythosed leg?  Did she accidentally spill some eggnog down there and he's just making sure it doesn't go to waste?

I haven't seen it in years, but I remember liking The Serpent and the Rainbow quite a bit when I saw it. It was well done and had a good creepy feel to it. I also marked Ju-on. I can't agree that it was boring. It was structured a bit oddly, which isn't all that unusual with Japanese movies, and what passes for an ending wasn't as conclusive as I'd have liked, but it did have some good, creepy moments, mostly involving yowling children in black and white makeup. I've never seen the American version, but I enjoyed the original. I saw Christmas Evil as well, but I'm not sure I could recommend it; it just didn't entertain me all that much, and the ending is a pretty extreme "What the hell?" kind of moment. I think I saw Last House on the Left as well, though it may have been a similar movie copying it; it's been a while, and I just took some Nyquil, so my brain isn't up and 100% running. Allhallowsday makes a good point about seeing it for the historical value; I don't recall it being what I'd call "entertaining."

I gave in and watched Christmas Evil, and there was nothing "icky" going on really, although the sexy pantyhosed leg part made me a little uncomfortable.  It should have been at least a little bit funny given the title, but it wasn't, it kind of ruined Christmas a little bit for me.  I think I need to watch Santa With Muscles (also now available for free on demand) to save Christmas.

Iv'e only seen a three of those listed-
LAST HOUSE on the LEFT-Very sadistic,and much more disturbing than junk like SAW or HOSTEL (hated both).LAST HOUSE is a classic horror film because, well, it horrifies.

The PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS-Goofy fun,time waster.

The SERPENT and the RAINBOW-A good movie...but not something I would watch more than twice.

I watched last night

The Cheerleader's Beach Party- Dear God I think my brain hemmoraged.

The Bikini Shop- WOOO!

Quote from: Rev. Powell on December 06, 2008, 08:01:11 PM

Quote from: Patient7 on December 06, 2008, 01:48:07 PM

Quote from: Paquita on December 05, 2008, 02:17:55 AM

I have kind of been wanting to watch Christmas Evil because 'tis the season and all, but part of the summary scared me off - a boy sees his mother making love to his father dressed as Santa - I really love Santa and don't want this vision burned into my brains.

I watched it a while ago, there's no nudity and Santa just kisses a pantyhosed leg, hardly can be infeered that it's "making love."

What is the non-sexual interpretation of Santa kissing a panythosed leg?  Did she accidentally spill some eggnog down there and he's just making sure it doesn't go to waste?

Maybe she tripped and he was trying to make it better.  :teddyr:

Quote from: Patient7 on December 07, 2008, 02:20:50 PM
I watched last night

The Cheerleader's Beach Party- Dear God I think my brain hemmoraged.

The Bikini Shop- WOOO!

Were these on On Demand (free)?  If so, what channel?  I suspect it's something I don't get, but I have found free stuff hidden in unexpected locations.

I think you have all convinced me to see LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT.  It's free until 1/31, so no hurry. 

Quote from: Rev. Powell on December 07, 2008, 08:21:20 PM

Quote from: Patient7 on December 07, 2008, 02:20:50 PM
I watched last night

The Cheerleader's Beach Party- Dear God I think my brain hemmoraged.

The Bikini Shop- WOOO!

Were these on On Demand (free)?  If so, what channel?  I suspect it's something I don't get, but I have found free stuff hidden in unexpected locations.

I think you have all convinced me to see LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT.  It's free until 1/31, so no hurry. 

They were in the free movies section, just look for them in the comedy screen.

Quote from: Patient7 on December 09, 2008, 11:58:03 PM

Quote from: Rev. Powell on December 07, 2008, 08:21:20 PM

Quote from: Patient7 on December 07, 2008, 02:20:50 PM
I watched last night

The Cheerleader's Beach Party- Dear God I think my brain hemmoraged.

The Bikini Shop- WOOO!

Were these on On Demand (free)?  If so, what channel?  I suspect it's something I don't get, but I have found free stuff hidden in unexpected locations.

I think you have all convinced me to see LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT.  It's free until 1/31, so no hurry. 

They were in the free movies section, just look for them in the comedy screen.

I'd love to find them, but I fear they're not available on my system.  What channel sponsored them?  When I look under free movies, they are categorized by channel, not genre.  So I only see offerings from TMC, FearNet, Sundance, IFC and a few others.  If I look under comedy movies I only see pay offerings.   :bluesad:

I'm going to watch ADAPTATION tonight, even though no one recommended it.

Wonder why Adaptation is in this list?

It's OK. Chris Cooper is great, and really different from other much more straight-laced roles you might have seen ("American Beauty" for instance).

It's based, sort of, on a book called "The Orchid Thief". It tells the story of a writer who is struggling with trying to adapt "The Orchid Thief", and how he ends up with a story which is very different from the book. I always suspected that that much was truthful: that Charlie Kaufman (who wrote himself into the screenplay) couldn't figure out how to adapt this book.

It will mess with your mind trying to figure out what else is truthful though.

Quote from: Rev. Powell on December 10, 2008, 01:25:15 PM

Quote from: Patient7 on December 09, 2008, 11:58:03 PM

Quote from: Rev. Powell on December 07, 2008, 08:21:20 PM

Quote from: Patient7 on December 07, 2008, 02:20:50 PM
I watched last night

The Cheerleader's Beach Party- Dear God I think my brain hemmoraged.

The Bikini Shop- WOOO!

Were these on On Demand (free)?  If so, what channel?  I suspect it's something I don't get, but I have found free stuff hidden in unexpected locations.

I think you have all convinced me to see LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT.  It's free until 1/31, so no hurry. 

They were in the free movies section, just look for them in the comedy screen.

I'd love to find them, but I fear they're not available on my system.  What channel sponsored them?  When I look under free movies, they are categorized by channel, not genre.  So I only see offerings from TMC, FearNet, Sundance, IFC and a few others.  If I look under comedy movies I only see pay offerings.   :bluesad:

I'm going to watch ADAPTATION tonight, even though no one recommended it.

Both were presented by Impact, that's all that I saw as a sponsor.

Dang!  Never heard of Impact, probably not on my cable system, as I feared.  And I could really use a good bikini/cheerleader movie right about now, too.

Quote from: Rev. Powell on December 10, 2008, 07:22:38 PM
Dang!  Never heard of Impact, probably not on my cable system, as I feared.  And I could really use a good bikini/cheerleader movie right about now, too.

I didn't hear about it until I watched these movies either so I'm not sure if it's an actual station.

If you havent seen it, I believe Angel Heart may still be on demand. Its one I definately recommend, especially if you have an appreciation for both horror and film noir.

Quote from: Fausto on December 10, 2008, 11:52:45 PM
If you havent seen it, I believe Angel Heart may still be on demand. Its one I definately recommend, especially if you have an appreciation for both horror and film noir.

Yes, I saw it when it came out and I did watch it again on demand.  I like it a lot.  I even liked it knowing the ending.

I watched ADAPTATION last night and liked it quite a bit.  People point ouit Cooper's AA winning performance, but I really was impressed by Cage's dual role.  All 3 main actors did top notch work.

Quote from: Allhallowsday on December 05, 2008, 11:37:04 PM
Yes, Rev, check out LAST HOUSE and decide for yourself.  Consider it an education.  Anyone who can claim a film featuring humiliation, sexual assault, and murder as a "favorite" has developed a thick skin.  :thumbdown:  :bluesad:

Big  :thumbdown: on LAST HOUSE.

It was an R-rated, 82 min cut, so some of the "disturbing" material was cut out.  Not that it would have helped.  The overwhelming impression I got was that it was just a bad film, which of course can be a good thing, but in this case it was just bad and unpleasant instead of bad and fun.  I give Craven a bit of a break because it was his first film and he's improved, but this showed almost no directorial talent, in my view.  There was very little sense of suspense; the movie never really gave us the false hope that the girls might escape.  The chase through the woods was actually rather boring and predictable. 

The awful attempts at comic relief with the bungling country cops were even more painful than the humiliation scenes. 

Just really awful. On the level of LOVE CAMP 7.  I wouldn't recommend this even for it's "historical value", whatever that might be. 

The only one I have seen is Serpent and the Rainbow and I enjoyed it very much.
Funny you should mention Last House on the Left.My mom turned that on the other night.After clicking the info button on the remote and reading to find out what the film was about,I said,"You're going to watch that?!".My mom replied,"yeah".
Later,my Dad came in,sat down and watched the rest(he missed at least the first 30 minutes).
Later(don't ask me what scene),I overheard him say,"This is the kind of sh*t you watch??".

My vote would go for Serpert and The Rainbow. However, this is largely due to the fact that it is also one of my favorite books. Wade Davis is a great writer, not only in novel form but also for his articles and papers he has written.

Quote from: Rev. Powell on January 11, 2009, 05:18:31 PM

Quote from: Allhallowsday on December 05, 2008, 11:37:04 PM
Yes, Rev, check out LAST HOUSE and decide for yourself.  Consider it an education.  Anyone who can claim a film featuring humiliation, sexual assault, and murder as a "favorite" has developed a thick skin.  :thumbdown:  :bluesad:

Big  :thumbdown: on LAST HOUSE.

It was an R-rated, 82 min cut, so some of the "disturbing" material was cut out.  Not that it would have helped.  The overwhelming impression I got was that it was just a bad film, which of course can be a good thing, but in this case it was just bad and unpleasant instead of bad and fun.  I give Craven a bit of a break because it was his first film and he's improved, but this showed almost no directorial talent, in my view.  There was very little sense of suspense; the movie never really gave us the false hope that the girls might escape.  The chase through the woods was actually rather boring and predictable. 

The awful attempts at comic relief with the bungling country cops were even more painful than the humiliation scenes. 

Just really awful. On the level of LOVE CAMP 7.  I wouldn't recommend this even for it's "historical value", whatever that might be. 

Last House is very mean spirited film. It's the same problem I have with some of the Troma films...