It's still hard to believe that the year is about to be over, even though there are literally hours left to 2016! No matter how much happened over the past 12 months, the year tends to feel simultaneously like it flew by and also dragged its feet when it's just about over. We tend to take our last impressions as the overall summary of the year which means, with a lot of loss and bad news bottle necking in December, that every year is always terrible. But that's just not true. So, I wanted to look back at some of my favorite moments of the year, in no particular order. ☺
San Francisco got an Alamo Drafthouse
After delays and drama, the San Francisco branch of Alamo Drafthouse finally opened its doors... to more delays and drama. After the initial Star Wars ticketing debacle, the theatre has thrived and grown to be one of my favorite theatres in the bay area. Through regularly visiting the former New Missions Theatre, we've gotten to go to countless special screenings and events, and meet several fellow horror nerds. When our favorite night of the week, Terror Tuesday, went to camp, we even decided to show our support by having patches and shorts made.
Patches were given to those dedicated movie goers who went to all four nights of Terror Tuesday Goes to Camp.
And shirts were sold separately. Incidentally, we do have some left...
The Overlook Family Grew
Although they don't have profile pictures yet, we added two new people to our panel of reviewers; Trash and The Ascendant. The Gross Uncle will capture their essence so you can have a face to go with the name. Trash was one of the film lovers we connected with over Terror Tuesday and Weird Wednesday love, and The Ascendant was next us in line at a midnight screening of Cannibal Holocaust. Lord Battle found out later that they had a mutual friend named KillDozer.
An estranged member of the Overlook family also returned to the dim comfort of the screening overlooked film. I'm talking about The Great Hornito.
We Got Published!
Book Wyrm, Lord Battle, Math Mage, Berkeley Blazer, KillDozer and I each wrote segments for When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Movies with Killer Animals at the beginning of 2015 and about two months ago we got the news that the book was published! The curator and editor, Vanessa Morgan, is a total horror nerd and the animal attack sub genre is her favorite. The cover art is awesome and I'd really love to work with her in the future, but this book has to do well in order for that to happen, so if you guys are interested it's available on Amazon. ☺
We Launched a Podcast
Have you checked out The Overlook Hour? It is recorded every Monday with Clark Little, KillDozer, and Lord Battle. We are only 19 episodes in and there have already been some pretty big guests, including Barbara Crampton, Dissector and Creator of Ghoul, and Stuart Bedford, Stu Jopia, and Giovanni Gentile from Good Tidings. Episodes go up Wednesday and there are big plans for the podcast going into 2017! Check out the published episodes on SOundcloud, Itunes, and YouTube.
The Return of Midnight Mass
With the exception of KillDozer, most of the Overlook creatures have not had the pleasure of attending one of Peaches Christ's Midnight Mass screenings. Until this year, that is.
But this past March, she brought back the midnight event for one night at the Clay Theatre. She screened The Final Girls and followed it up with an interview with the director and screen writers, one of which you may recognize from another movie...
Joshua John Miller reluctantly signed a copy of Near Dark too. ☺
One of the coolest things about that night was getting to meet and talk to Peaches Christ. As a cult horror host, and a local one at that, Peaches is very outspoken about the changes that the bay area has been undergoing, and it was comforting to know that there are public figures who also understand how necessary the DIY events are to preserve the culture that makes San Francisco the beautiful and diverse place it is.
💀 💀 💀
So this year hasn't been all bad, and I personally have high hopes for the next one.
Hey guys! Happy last Friday of the year, I hope you spent it wisely. Well, it's New Years weekend and that means one thing for screenings... there are next to none happening at our favorite spots. But I can't be completely upset because that means it the people who make those theatres possible have the day off to spend however they want. ☺ But we're not completely option-less, as there are a couple of title you may want to check out screening. Let's take a look.
From PARK Chan-wook, the celebrated director of OLDBOY, LADY VENGEANCE, THIRST and STOKER, comes a ravishing new crime drama inspired by the novel 'FINGERSMITH' by British author Sarah Waters. Having transposed the story to 1930s-era colonial Korea and Japan, Park presents a gripping and sensual tale of a young Japanese Lady living on a secluded estate, and a Korean woman who is hired to serve as her new handmaiden, but who is secretly involved in a conman's plot to defraud her of her large inheritance. Powered by remarkable performances from KIM Min-hee (RIGHT NOW, WRONG THEN) as Lady Hideko, HA Jung-woo (THE CHASER) as the conman who calls himself the Count and sensational debut actress KIM Tae-ri as the maid Sookee, THE HANDMAIDEN borrows the most dynamic elements of its source material and combines it with PARK Chan-wook's singular vision and energy to create an unforgettable viewing experience.
The Fifth Element (1997)
Friday 30th @ 10:30pm (2hrs 6min)
Drama/ Sci-Fi/ Adventure
In the colorful future, a cab driver unwittingly becomes the central figure in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon to keep Evil and Mr Zorg at bay.
3 of 12 viewers "Liked" "Krampus Unleashed" (2016, USA)
Here's what the creatures had to say:
The Ascendant - "Robert Conway's Krampus Unleashed (2016) is the cinematic equivalent to rubbernecking. Clearly, I can find more responsible ways to spend 75 minutes but still can't resist the urge to slow down and witness the train-wreck. Conway's film does that in spades from a Wild West origin story to a Krampus that oddly resembles Kelsey Grammer's depiction of Beast from X-Men: Days of Future Past. Surprisingly, there are a few things to enjoy in this low-budget affair, including FX work by Cat Bernier & Marcus Koch of Oddtopsy FX, a few seconds of nudity and an absolutely hilarious performance by Taylor Buckley (as Troy)." - 2 Stars
KillDozer - "Robert Conway wasn't happy enough simply writing Krampus the Reckoning, he wanted to really aim for the stars by writing/directing a Krampus film to end (hopefully) all Krampus films. His holiday vision is titled Krampus Unleashed and I can honestly say it was amazing fun to experience with a group of friends in a holiday party setting. A truly bizarre Krampus story that takes place in the desert with no snow and very little signs of the Christmas holiday at all. Still I am a fan of B style practical effects and these kills are fun and inventive. I couldn't have liked the old school style man in a rubber suit Krampus more and it power walked through the sand to attack the next victim. It was everything you want from a modern "B" horror flick from bad acting to cheesy jokes and plenty of "what the hell is going on here?" moments. Although I had fun with it I do hope that it brings the Krampus movie trend to a halt." - 2 Stars (one for the rubber suit and one for setting it in the desert)
Drumachine - "An okay holiday horror film. The unfortunately low audio production ruined immersion and gave it a cheap feel." - 2 Stars
Lord Battle - "In a way Krampus Unleashed is what I've always wanted from a Krampus film. A high body count, random nudity, and a shaggy looking Krampus. Too bad the film just doesn't deliver. Long gaps of boring dialogue break up all the great flesh, gore, and general mayhem that make slashers so worthwhile. Yet, this did play incredibly well at our annual White Elephant party, so the lesson to learn here is: enjoy with friends." - 2.5 Stars
Huntress - "What a strange addition to the Krampus film catalog... I'm not sure how seriously the director took it but this is definitely a party movie as far as watching it is concerned. There are way too many characters, many of which looked like other people in the movie, and I couldn't tell you a single one of their names, but when heads started to roll (literally) I was part of the cheering section." - 3 Stars
Dabbles - "All I can say about this movie is that it really does rely on the environment you watch it in. The fact that we watched this amungst friends and celebrating the holidays, we were really entertained and engaged with this movie. If I was to watch it on my own, I'd probably turn it off. The characters were almost forgettable and one sided, but that being said the effects and production, especially with the deaths, were extremely fun to watch. I'd give it one more star if the acting were a bit better." - 3 Stars
Speed Demon - "Great to watch with a group of friends especially for the holiday season. I'd say good luck however watching this silly, boring ass film alone. I love how they used Beast from X-men to play the Krampus character. Slap some horns on him and we are ready to go." - 2 Stars
The Great Hornito - "I was too busy partying to really pay attention but from what I saw in between shots, Krampus Unleashed was fun." - 3 Stars
The Berkeley Blazer - "Krampus saturation is real and it's a debilitating syndrome. Nonetheless, this movie was a hoot at the Overlook Christmas party and I had enough fun to where I felt this deserved a "Liked". I can say with absolute confidence that I would have turned this movie off after 15 minutes if I had been watching it alone; in that context a definite "dislike". The obnoxious cousin, the Flying baby, and other spectacular moments were captivating enough, and there were even some astonishingly visceral dismemberments if that's your bag. This all takes place in Arizona or New Mexico, and I have to say that setting a Krampus story in the American southwest was a novel notion even if it didn't enhance the film experience itself. The acting and cinematography are reminiscent of mid-budget porn, which happens to work really well for the overall tone of this Krampus story provided, again, that you were watching this in a group." - 2.5 Stars
Math Mage - "It's kind of cool that the coal in your stocking is an interpretation of ancient demon summoning stones, but it's an idea that deserves a better movie. The Krampus effects are surprisingly good, shown off through a hefty kill count. Unfortunately that kill count necessitates a large cost of unlikable assholes. Better than Krampus The Reckoning, but that's not saying much." - 1 Star
The Impostor - "The last few holiday seasons there's been a new Krampus film released. While with the exception of the big budget Krampus which I love, these straight to DVD films are hit and miss. Mostly a miss. Krampus unleashed feels like a high school group project that took a week to film and act out. While I didn't enjoy this film one bit, it's fun to watch with a group. That definitely ups its entertainment value. The actual Krampus definitely looks like Kelsey Grammer's Beast from the early Xmen movies. There's not much really good I can say about it. Overall I wouldn't recommend this for a regular watch but with a few beers and group of friends ready for some good laughs." - 1.5 Stars
Trash - "When the projector flickered on and the title hit the screen for Krampus Unleashed, I was extremely confused. "Is this not the movie we watched last week?" I asked the room, and they all stared at me like I was an idiot. Can you blame me though? I am an idiot, and there's like a million Krampus movies now, with indistinct titles. Oddly set in Arizona for a snow-less Krampus Christmas, The Unleashing Of Krampus didn't quite hold my interest. Aside from a few laughable expected low budget predicaments, like a blow-up hot tub and some awkward nudity, it's the bland experience you'd expect from a run-of-the-mill straight-to-video horror product. The production value is just good enough to pass as a real movie to an untrained eye. Further inspection reveals carelessly bad lighting and sound. The saving grace of the film are the FX (which are pretty damn good), the plentiful cast members (lots of bodies), and a douchey perverted preteen kid named Troy who stole the movie and our hearts. Godspeed, Troy. Merry Christmas." - 2 Stars
The Overlook Theatre Final Rating*
(Below is for after you've seen the film)
The Overlook Theatre possesses an unfortunate home once a week to review and celebrate horror films. During the week prior to Christmas, the Overlook continues this tradition, only on this day the dark denizens of the night are allowed to bask in their chosen vices and often partake in many a mortal sin. This annual ritual is both a necessity and a celebration as, in a sense, we exorcise our own demons. This can easily be a bad thing for a film, as one large group reacting breaks into smaller groups talking; the film can suddenly become lost in the revelry. Krampus Unleashed ultimately defied this by holding everyone's attention. Keep in mind that the boring stretches between kills and nudity allowed proper breathing room for smoke breaks, shots, and even departure from the film to pick someone up from BART.
But if you'd like to hear the director, Robert Conway, talk more about his movie and inspirations, or if you hated Krampus Unleashed and want someone to punish him the way he punished you, here's a video of an interview he did on the Rob and Slim show. It was pretty difficult to get through, as these hosts are drunk (I think), not the least bit professional, and haven't even watched the movie they're interviewing him about. His interview was interrupted by everything possible, including a phone call from a surprise guest, who turns the interview into a complete mess.
- Lord Battle
The Overlook Theatre materialized in a residence for a special screening on 12/22/2016
*Based on the star ratings turned in by character reviewers, others viewed and got to "Dislike" or "Like" but that does not effect the rating.
2016 has been an unforgettable year for comics. Whether it’s the passing of an industry legend, one of many facepalm moments or an amazing story arc, there has been a lot to get through and if you’ve stuck around for the ride with me, congratulations! The last few weeks I told you about some of my favorite writers, art teams and books and today I’m going to tell you about a few of my favorite publishers.
Before I get to my favorites I just wanted to mention some moments from publishers that also deserve a nod even though they didn’t make my tops! I was really excited to see Archie Comics reboot the main Archie book with the team of Mark Waid and Fiona Staples; that was great. The young Aftershock Comics made its way onto my radar this year with titles from top tier writers and artists. IDW had the 80’s/90’s kid in me rejoicing with titles from some great properties from my childhood. And even though I have made it clear I have been pretty disappointed in the direction of Marvel this year, they still deserve a nod because although most of it didn’t hit with me, they did release a lot of great titles worth checking out. Now on to the tops!
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I started reading comics as a kid and it’s something that that I still hold near and dear so it’s great to see a publisher like BOOM! release books for everyone. BOOM! has something for readers of all ages with titles such as Adventure Time, Over the Garden Wall, Lumberjanes, Sons of Anarchy, WWE and Death be Damned. That’s just the tip of the iceberg; BOOM! has a wide range of books worth checking out so next time you see a book with the BOOM! logo, don’t be afraid to give it a shot.
Lumberjanes
Death Be Damned
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Dark Horse is one of those publishers with great books year after year and 2016 continues that tradition. Mike Mignola is likely a name you have heard of and he has given us so many good books within the Hellboy universe by way of Dark Horse. Dark Horse is also responsible for books set in the Aliens Vs Predator universe, Jeff Lemire's latest book Black Hammer as well as Harrow County by Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook. Dark Horse also releases Manga stateside such as Blade of the Immortal and Neon Genesis Evangelion so if you browse through their catalog, chances are Dark Horse has something for you.
Hellboy
Harrow County
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In 2012 DC relaunched its line with the new 52. Since then, their Heroes and Villains went through some pretty big changes. Many of them became unrecognizable when compared to those we all came to love. This year we saw DC end their new 52 books and relaunch all their titles under the DC Rebirth Banner. Rebirth took their roster of heroes and villains back to their roots instead of making more drastic changes and the results have been undeniably strong. With all new creative teams on their books, DC added another imprint, Young Animal alongside their already solid Vertigo. With these changes DC skyrocketed back up towards the top and they show no signs of slowing down. DC really does have something for any fan of comics; don’t let the large roster of heroes discourage you from picking up any of their books.
All-Star Batman
Doom Patrol
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It’s easy to see why Image is near the top of the list. With titles such as Black Science, The Walking Dead, Spawn, Outcast, Kill or be Killed and Low, Image is a dominant force in the comic industry. On top of those mentioned, Image has a staggering amount of more amazing titles and new books are constantly being added to the already huge catalog. What sets Image apart from the rest is that all of their titles are creator owned allowing writers and artists the freedom to bring us their vision and keep ownership of said vision. My first experience with Image was in 1992 with Spawn #1 and 24 years later Image books continue to dominate my pull list.
Black Science
Outcast
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At the top of my list is Valiant Comics. Valiant has been around since 1989 and has changed ownership on more than one occasion. In 2004, then owner, Acclaim Entertainment, declared bankruptcy and Valiant seemingly met their end of publication. It wasn’t until 2012 that Valiant re-emerged and they did so with much success. Valiant contains a shared universe much like Marvel and DC but with a smaller roster. What sets Valiant apart however is that they actually end each book. After each run, the book is put back on the shelf to make way for another title to expand the universe. This is a clever strategy as it allows the landscape of the Valiant universe to change before bringing back their titles for another run. Not only does Valiant have a roster of really cool characters, they also have a roster of amazing creators. A roster of cool characters is just that without great writers and art teams and Valiant is not suffering from a shortage of amazing creators. Currently Matt Kindt and Jeff Lemire are shaping what is to come from this publisher. I haven’t been so immersed in a shared universe in a very long time. In just 4 years the current Valiant books have managed to break records and their success only continues to grow. I highly suggest jumping in to this shared Universe and watching it grow into a comic book powerhouse that rivals both DC and Marvel.
Bloodshot Reborn
Ninjack
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That wraps it up for this year! There have been so many great moments in comics especially from these publishers. I can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store for us. Thank you to everyone who followed and read my article throughout the year, you’re the best. If you enjoyed what you have read go visit me on Instagram @not_pennys_boat_27 for more super nerdy comic book stuff to hold you over until 2017. Don’t forget to support your local comic shop and pick up something awesome to carry you over into the New Year!
3 of 7 viewers "Liked" "Krampus 2: The Devil Returns" (2016, USA)
Here's what the creatures had to say:
Math Mage - "In the first Krampus film the criminal had escaped justice due to lawyers and came to get revenge for... not being put in prison? He gets killed; in the sequel his previously unmentioned brother wants revenge for that death. Which would make more sense, except that his brother is also a gang leader with his own crew, in the same town. And he waited to take revenge for 5 years while the cop in question went and lived in the woods (and grew a beard). Cuz that's what you do when you're traumatized by the Krampus and you're certain that your daughter who he kidnapped is still alive: you move to an isolated cabin and grow a beard. Eventually there is a ridiculous chick fight, and some boring gunfights (and Krampus is there too, he kidnaps and murders some kids. That's important I guess). Then there's a "twist" where Santa Clause also wants revenge on the cop for some stuff that was never hinted at before (and he also waited till just now to take that revenge for some reason) and then the movie just ends. A torturous slog of a film but still not the worst Krampus movie (I still have you Krampus: The Reckoning)." - 1 Star Trash - "I like no-budget movies that a friend-of-a-friend made in their backyard, especially when they really mean it. And I believe with all my heart and soul that the dudes who made Krampus: The Devil Returns really mean it and weren’t just messing around with a camera. Distributed with all the mockbuster finesse of junk your mom accidentally got from the Redbox when she was trying to rent Regular Krampus, I can’t even get the title right without a few attempts. But, damn, stumbling onto this? It feels like gold. We found a sick Christmas treasure. First off, it’s a sequel, which I should have realized because the Christmas devil is returning, but I didn’t see the first one and it didn’t matter. Just know there’s a bad cop and now he’s retired because Krampus ate his daughter, but they never found her body. Now that cop is returning to bumblefuck, PA because Krampus is back and he’s in cahoots with the grimiest Santa Claus in cinema. There’s a subplot with local gangsters that’s pretty thin and will try your patience. But if you’ve ever wanted to see a movie where a sadistic Santa whips kids and screams “I’m a fucking God”, this movie is made for you! - 4 Stars Lord Battle - "Revenge is a dish best served cold and in Krampus 2 everyone has ordered a serving. The original Krampus is back and doesn't look homeless anymore, actually he has literally moved out of his cave and into a barn! And as a fan of the original Krampus The Christmas Devil I confidently proclaim Krampus 2 as the superior film. Channeling the cruelty of Silent Night Deadly Night, the fun of Jack Frost, and the absentee father of the goblins from Troll 2, Krampus: The Devil Returns is either an indie horror hunter's hidden gem or a small child's worst nightmare." - 3.5 Stars
Huntress - "Part monster movie, part Sons of Anarchy drama, Krampus: The Devil Returns was very ambitious for its indie budget. A lot of the plot was lost in the midst of nearly inaudible dialogue that would test the millennial attention span. But with the right group of Christmas horror loving friends, this would be a fun watch for December. It’s definitely an interesting addition to the holiday horror sub-genre and a very different take on the Christmas devil. Better than part one for sure!" - 2.5 Stars
The Berkeley Blazer - "Krampus 2 is a low budget film with little ambition to make the most of its resources. I gave it two stars because it has some genuinely funny moments both intentional and unintentional that come from our Santa/Krampus family dynamic. The real offenders in this slog were the coterie of limp-spirited and lazily grim protagonists and peripheral bad guy characters whose monotone delivery drove me to the brink of tortured madness. I guess they were aiming for a working class vibe (which had they achieved would have been pretty refreshing) but ended up with low energy Breitbart-reader types. While the spectacular duo of Santa Krampus can't justify the price of admission, they at least make this somewhat watchable. Mustering up the will to even write this little review was difficult for me because I really wish I could just forget the whole affair, so thank god it's over now." - 2 Stars
The Great Hornito - "This rendition of Krampus was not bad considering how low budget the movie is. Krampus and Santa shake up in this Christmas horror movie and I guess Krampus has to provide naughty children to Santa to pay his half of the rent. The police are looking for the children and the kind-of biker gang are looking for the cops and have an all-out freeforall brawl at the end. And it's as stupid and entertaining as it sounds. Krampus 2 also has the best line ever used in a holiday movie, "My momma always told me to fuck what I kill." I can't wait till part 3 next year; "Krampus 3: Son of Krampus"." - 3.5 Stars
Dabbles - Fell Asleep - Default 2 Stars
The Overlook Theatre Final Rating*
(Below is for after you've seen the film)
Our local FYE is in the middle of closing and all their DVD/Bluray's are heavily discounted. While digging through endless copies of Twilight and Resident Evil sequels I came upon Krampus 2: The Devil Returns. I had heard nothing of this film's release and knew none of the Overlook creatures had either, so I promptly purchased the nicely packaged DVD with slip cover (which featured a cover art that closely resembled the original film).
Below is an interview with the film creator Jason Hull who, like most indie film makers, was hands on in every aspect of making this film. So who better to direct all of the strange questions that the fiends of the Overlook come up with after watching these hidden indie horrors?
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Jason - Before we begin, I want to thank each and every one of you for your questions, and interest in what we do. Words will never express my gratitude for your support in our projects! With each film we try and improve, and I just hope you find some enjoyment in what we do!
Lord Battle - From a horror collectors perspective, Krampus: The Christmas Devil appeared to be another cash-grab at the Krampus craze but a closer look reveals its release was back in 2013 before the wave of anti-Santa stories. How do you feel about this recent Krampus assault and ultimately being grouped in with them.
Jason - Thanks for recognizing that we were before Daugherty's Krampus. :). Some people have jumped the gun on us, saying we only put this out to grab from the Universal picture.
It's fun to be a part of it. In all honesty, we had Krampus on the radar in 2010. I had a friend who told me about Krampus, and I put him down as the next thing to do. When we finished "The Four" (my second film-no distribution), I immediately started writing K1.
An egotistical narcissistic part of me likes to think we started the Krampus Kraze, which I think will die down in a year or two, but realistically, it was bound to happen. There's only so much you can do - film wise - with Krampus, so from that perspective, I think it'll tame down. I'm just happy that we are even mentioned in the Krampus fun that is going on, and I never would have dreamed we would get this kind of recognition!
Lord Battle - I couldn't have been more surprised when I saw Krampus: The Devil Returns on a rack at FYE. I mean, I personally really like the previous installment but I would have never guessed a sequel would be made! Was Krampus 2 an idea you've been throwing around for awhile or has this script always been sitting on your shelf?
Jason - We more or less decided to do a sequel while we were in the middle of K1. After it was released, we had some positive feedback on it, and let's be realistic... I grew up in the 80's, loving 80's horror. I've always had a dream to have a sequel. Maybe a box set someday. Ha ha.
I wanted to try and make it a stand alone, though. If you saw our first one, great. It'll help a little, if not, no worries. That was difficult to do actually. I had most of the movie done, and AJ (Leslie) came to me with the ending, which is pretty messed up. Filming we had to be careful to get parts across that we didn't want the audience to miss. Like I said, we wanted this to be a stand alone.
Lord Battle - Why did Krampus move out of the Slave Cave? And I just have to say, I love the imagery of Krampus dragging a sack ripe with child to a pond for drowning. Bravo!
Jason - Hey!!!! Thank you! I love that imagery as well! That was my favorite thing from K1 that we shot (and anything with Oberst).
As far as him moving out of the slave cave (great wording),... do you mean from K1 to K2? So, that cave is actually a basement of a bar that we go to occasionally. At the time, they didn't have it finished off, so we were able to go and set up and film away. No one bothered us, so we could leave our stuff there. It was cold as hell though, as there was little heat.
Since Krampus 1, they have finished it off, and they use it on the weekend-and it's not quite the same as it was since it's finished and polished off. Plus, we wanted to have a different spot for him in K2. K1 originally had him in an abandoned barn, so I wanted to move that direction with K2,... plus, it's supposed to be 5 years later... :)
Math Mage - Why do a couple of films about Krampus punishing children have multiple criminal revenge subplots?
Jason - Good question. I guess when I write, what comes out, comes out. Ha ha. I love a good gangster flick, so maybe that was in my brain too. I knew when writing that I was going with the "cop trying to find the monster" thing, but I thought we could embellish on that a little and give a little back story too...
Trash - "Why did you want to make Santa Claus so dark? He's an old dude torturing kids, and yelling about being a god. I was even drawing comparisons to OLDBOY, with his specific method of punishing Jeremy. Did you make that connection, or were you just trying to come up with sick things Santa could do?"
Jason - I wanted to take what they were supposed to be and completely reverse them. Here's Santa Claus, who is the pinnacle of Christmas, and now he's not what he seems. Then, Krampus sort of has a hard time doing what he does, but he's cursed and that's his job. It's what he does. Ying and yang. And we made them brothers, working together, which I realize isn't the normal "lore," but hey let's mix it up! :)
Paul Ferm who plays Santa is a retired homicide detective, so I wanted to play off of his strengths too. He has a very commanding demeanor, so let's go with it.
Plus, it's fun to twist the norm around, right!?
Great comparison to Old Boy, but I don't think I had that in mind. :)
Huntress - "Why did you decide to change Krampus's look?"
Jason - Well first, the prior prosthetic was dying a slow horrible death, but ultimately, we had a little bigger budget, and we wanted to try and up our game on some things, "His" look being one of them-in all realism, we could have Tom Cruise in the movie, and ultimately it's about the monster.
Jonathan Thornton did us good, I thought. The K2 prosthetic was heavy as hell and very encasing. It took 2 people to get it on and off, and your neck was sore after having it on! Kudos to Ben Berlin for wearing that crazy thing as much as he did!
- Lord Battle
The Overlook Theatre materialized in a residence for a screening on 12/8/2016
*Based on the star ratings turned in by character reviewers, others viewed and got to "Dislike" or "Like" but that does not effect the rating.
I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again before 2017 finally gets here... What a year. The Overlook family has lost a couple of members, grown by several new members members (and countless new friends), we launched a podcast, and also watched a ton of movies in between. And as this year comes to an end, the hosts of The Overlook Hour gathered in the Disney Dungeon to reflect on the past 11 and three quarters months, talk about what they've watched, and which movies stood out on both sides of the spectrum.
Below is Episode 19, the last episode of the year, where each of the guys talks about what they would recommend as their top 5 horror and top 5 overlooked films of 2016. If you guys disagree, feel free to comment your own top 5 for either or both categories. And you may notice that DJ Nilo (aka DJ Butstuf) is not included, but you'll have to listen to the episode to find out why...
I hope everyone is getting through their holiday seasons in one piece and will check back in with the Disney Dungeon broadcast next year!
I'm hoping everyone had a great Christmas weekend! Now those retailer gift cards you may have gotten will come in handy because Bluray Tuesday is back. Light week for sure for new titles. Ti West's new film In a Valley of Violence is a number one pickup for me this week. It's gotten great reviews and Ti West doesn't disappoint. Blind buy for me today. When the Bough Breaks is the next new release today. It looks like a Fatal Attraction kinda thriller but I'm hoping for a different outcome. These kind of films may be entertaining but are essentially the same for me. American Honey has overwhelmingly great reviews and is one I will definitely check out in the near future. Scream Factory releases 1967's The House That Screamed for the first time on bluray. Never heard of this title but it looks interesting. Last but not least, today the conspiracy thriller Snowden, which is based on real events is released. What will you Buy, Rent or skip this week? Let us know in the comments. Five different titles released today which all seem interesting and at least a good rental. Today also marks the final Bluray Tuesday of 2016! Man, time has flown by. Thanks for reading weekly and checking out our site. I'll see you guys next year!
A mysterious drifter (Ethan Hawke) and his dog journey toward
Mexico through the barren desert of the Old West. Hoping to shorten
their trip, they cut through a large valley, landing in the forgotten
town of Denton -- a place now known as a valley of violence. The
once-popular mining town is nearly abandoned and
controlled by a group of misfits and nitwits, including the seemingly
untouchable Gilly (James Ransone), the troublemaking son of the town's
difficult marshal.
Star (Sasha Lane), an adolescent girl from a troubled home, runs
away with a traveling sales crew that drives across the American Midwest
selling subscriptions door-to-door. Finding her feet in this gang of
teenagers, one of whom is Jake (Shia LaBeouf), she soon gets into the
group's lifestyle of hard-partying nights, law-bending days and young love.
Mrs. Fourneau owns and runs a school for wayward girls in France. Her
absolute discipline has fostered a social order among the girls with
rampant sex, lesbianism and torture the norm. Mrs. Fourneau also has an
adolescent son she tries to keep isolated from the young women lest he
be tainted by sexual relations; she explains that he must wait for a
girl "just like his mother". Meanwhile, girls are "running away" (being
murdered) one by one, with their corpses and any evidence of their
outcome not to be found.
Snowden, the politically-charged, pulse-pounding thriller reveals
the incredible untold personal story of Edward Snowden, the polarizing
figure who exposed shocking illegal surveillance activities by the NSA
and became one of the most wanted men in the world. He is considered a
hero by some, and a traitor by others. No matter
which you believe, the epic story of why he did it, who he left behind,
and how he pulled it off makes for one of the most compelling films of
the year.
