Colleenie Ghoulie Week 4 - Dead Ringers

Welcome to the last installment of this year’s Colleenie Ghoulie. I’m sad to say that I tried to save the best for last, but it didn’t work out that way.

The last film for October is the 1988 David Cronenberg thriller, Dead Ringers. I remember renting this movie in 1989 and it totally creeped me out and I haven’t watched it since.

I have to say, watching it 22 years later, I can’t believe I stayed with this really slow, boring film.

To be fair, maybe I need to remember that things just weren’t as in your face as they are now. Still, a good film should stand the test of time.

This was a tour de force performance by Jeremy Irons playing gynecologists twin brothers, Elliott and Beverly Mantle. From a young age, these twins are different and never fit in. As adults Elliott becomes the extrovert socialite but Beverly always remains awkward and withdrawn. The brothers constantly cover for each. Elliott helps Beverly by stepping in as him in social settings and even giving him his female castoffs. Beverly repays his brother by doing the bulk of their medical research which has made them famous. They are the “go to” doctors for infertile women, which brings the actress Claire (Genevieve Bujold) to them. She hopes they are the ones who can finally help her have a child.

Of course this is where the problems begin for the brothers and unfortunately, for the movie. Claire’s infertility really seems to be discarded when it no longer serves the plot and her entire character is so convoluted that it’s difficult to have any emotions for her.

Jeremy Irons does a fine acting job, but also his twins are so socially polarizing, it’s hard to feel for them. As for what I found so disturbing, maybe the abnormal examination tools Beverly has hand crafted for him? I also thought something really big happened, but now, I couldn’t tell you what that is.


The whole film felt like it was leading up to something, but I didn’t feel a payoff. I’m sorry I can’t recommend this one. Have you seen it? Am I missing something? Please feel free to sound off in the comments.

Song of the Week - Read My Mind/The Killers

I can't believe it! I originally wrote this post a couple of weeks ago and scheduled it to post yesterday. Poof! It's gone. I have no idea where it is. So a day late, but my final entry for bands with Halloween sounding names. I saved the best for last. This is not only my favorite song from The Killers, it's one of my all time favorite songs. I love Brandon Flowers voice. The kind of voice that wouldn't last a week on American Idol. There's so much emotion behind it, yet unique. I know Mr. Brightside seems like a better Halloween choice because of the costumes. This one though has a dude dressed as Elvis and whatever that green thing is supposed to be. This fits all my parameters. Sorry it's late. It's awesomeness should make up for it.

Colleenie Ghoulie Week 3 - Brimstone and Treacle

A sick, twisted little tale

Here we are at week 3 of Colleenie Ghoulie. This week’s selection is definitely a dip into the creepy and twisted. The 1982 cult classic, Brimstone and Treacle,
starring Sting.

What can I say about this movie? There’s simply something about its delicious creepiness that draws me in. The British are masters at making feeling uncomfortable a form of entertainment and this film is a prime example.

Based on a stage play and originally banned from a BBC broadcast, this film eventually found a theatrical release and let me tell you, it’s not for everyone.

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Pee Wee Herman is a Visionary!

I have to give a big thank you to Pee Wee. I wasn't having a good night last night. I trudged to my bedroom ready to throw in the towel on a crappy evening. You can say all the bad things you want, but I have a TV in my bedroom and I do fall asleep to it. It helps me relax and last night was a perfect example. I was ready to doze off to a little Conan, but when I clicked on my TV it was on VH1 with a broadcast of the Spike Scream Awards. I have no idea what those are, but lo and behold, my beautiful Pee Wee won a special Visionary Award. He made me laugh so hard, all my troubles fell away. Thank you Pee Wee, I was able to drift off to wonderful slumber. It was almost like being cradled by Chairy.

Song of the Week - Lives of Crime/Fruit Bats

Yes, week three and I found yet another appropriately Halloween named band...The Fruit Bats! It's an extra treat though because this song and video are awesome. Enjoy!

Take Shelter - A Slow, Compelling Burn

If you’re having horrifying dreams that an impending doom is on the way, would you think they are visions, or would you think you’re going crazy?

This is the main question in the new film, Take Shelter. This is a slow film and the only action is the nightmares that plague Curtis (Michael Shannon).

Be prepared to sit back and spend you’re time getting into the head of your main character. As the film opens, Curtis is a hard working family man. He has a deaf daughter and we see touching scenes of him signing with her. He has friends and a good relationship with his wife. As the dreams increase, Curtis is torn as to how to react to them. They don’t really feel like dreams at all, but more like visions.

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Colleenie Ghoulie Week 2 - The Seventh Sign

It’s already week two of Colleenie Ghoulie. October is flying by and I hope I’m able to fit in all my ghoulish delights.

This week’s movie is a bit of a departure. The Seventh Sign is a 1988 apocalyptic tale starring Demi Moore. Moore made this film while actually pregnant, which just makes me think she’s nuts. Seriously, you’re going to play a woman who has frequent miscarriages and there’s now something mysterious with the current child you’re carrying? Superstition aside, I still think it’s sort of ballsy (crazy) to explore that kind of territory when you are actually pregnant.

You may have heard of this film, but it’s a bit under the radar. If you think this was a direct to video piece of junk, you’d be wrong. This film totally delivers.

Demi Moore plays, Abby Quinn, a young, married woman in the final stages of pregnancy. The viewer is told that Abby lost her first child and although she says she feels good about her current pregnancy, her stress in apparent. We also see the strain it puts on her marriage. Her husband, Russell Quinn (played by Michael Biehn) tries to be supportive, but his job as a lawyer, literally has someone’s life on the line and it’s leaving little time for Abby.

Additional storylines of a Down Syndrome murder on death row and a traveling priest gathering signs of the apocalypse, keep this 97 minute flick going at a fast pace.

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Song of the Week - Holiday/Vampire Weekend

Last week Smashing Pumpkins, this week Vampire Weekend. It seems easier to find Halloween sounding band names than it is to find scary songs. I guess if I listened to Heavy Metal, but that and Country & Western are the two genres of music I don't normally delve into. This song works on two levels. Band name and they're wearing costumes. What a bargain!

Colleenie Ghoulie Week 1 - The Abominable Dr. Phibes

Welcome to a second year of Colleenie Ghoulie. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, (even though technically I guess it’s not really a holiday) maybe it’s because it’s also my birthday month, regardless, I really like to do it up for Halloween.

TV is cooperating nicely. This week brought the particularly creepy, American Horror Story and next weekend has the long awaited return of AMC’s The Walking Dead.

I’m planning some fun stuff for the month and one of them is the return of my Friday feature, Colleenie Ghoulie. Every Friday in October, I will focus on a great horror film. Last year I highlighted the films that scared me the most. This year, I’m going to focus on four horror films you may have missed. I’m re-watching these this month because, although I remember thinking they were pretty darn good; I haven’t watched them in many years.

First up, the 1971 Vincent Price film, The Abominable Dr. Phibes. I’ve mentioned my mom before and her love of horror films. I remember her toting me along to see this in the theater. She would never miss a new Vincent Price film and this one was his 100th film. I remember two scenes from this film. I remember the guy dying by frog mask (you would just have to see for yourself) and Dr. Phibes pouring goo all over the sleeping lady and then unleashing THE LOCUS! The interesting part about remembering these scenes is that in 1971, I was only four years old.

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American Horror Story - Fall TV Review Part 5

What the……

You guys need to help me out here. I never watched Nip/Tuck, if I had, maybe the new show from creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk would not have been as much of a shock.

I was an avid Twin Peaks fan back in 1990, so I’m okay with the weird and creepy. This show however, left me feeling kind of dirty. I really can’t describe it any other way. I watched it alone and I kept looking around me in a, “Did you see that?” fashion, but no one else was there to bounce this off of.

First of all, how does FX get away with so much? Why can they say s**t whenever they please? Do you pay an additional upfront fee to the FCC and then you get a green light? And I’m not complaining, but they showed Dylan McDermott’s ass like three times! The horror scenes were very graphic and gory and the situations were very adult. Seriously, this seemed like it was on HBO.

The story is intriguing. The Harmon family went through some tough times recently. Between a miscarriage and Dr. Harmon’s subsequent affair, they decide to have a fresh start. They move from Boston to a discounted manor in Los Angeles. Why so cheap? No, it’s not the down turned economy, it’s because the previous owners died brutally; murder/suicide.

There are so many creepy storylines going on it’s hard to keep track. Everyone from the neighbors to the help and even Dr. Harmon’s teenage patient all have something disturbing up their sleeve. The question though, is any of it connected?

There are also quick flashes of gross looking scenes and creatures. These are shown so quickly they are almost subliminal. It’s a field day for anyone who wants to pause their DVR to get a better look.

For now I’m interested enough to keep watching. We’ll see how long I keep watching and live with myself the next morning.

Arrested Development - More Than We Asked For

Although it's still not official, yesterday it was announced that not only would fans get the long awaited movie, but now 10 TV episodes leading up to it.

Now here's the thing. Do we want this? It's been so long and the show has become so legendary, are we risking a tarnished image? I have faith that they'll do this thing right, but there's still this part of me that doesn't want them to mess with perfection.

Song of the Week - 1979/Smashing Pumpkins

Colleenie Ghoulie is back and taking over Song of the Week for all of October. Last year we focused on some creepy songs. This year the theme is bands with Halloweenish names. First up...Smashing Pumpkins with one of my favorite songs 1979.

Check out this Song of the Week from last year.

VH1 Pop Up Video is Back!

Get More: Britney Spears, Pop Up Video, Till The World Ends (Pop Up Video), Free Music Videos

I loved VH1's Pop Up Video. It was an awesome waste of time. Well it's back and what a way to kick it off, with Brit-Brit! I missed that popping sound.

New Girl - Fall TV Review Part 4

I've already added this show to my list. First let me say if you find Zooey Deschanel annoying in any way, this is not the show for you. On the other hand, if you're like me and you found her totally adorable in 500 Days of Summer and Elf, and you own every She & Him CD, then this is the show for you.

Deschanel plays Jess, a recently single girl who decides to move in with three male roommates she finds on Craigslist. Jess is a very strange girl and the guys are trying to help her behave more normal around the opposite sex. Jess in her own way, is trying to help the guys chill-out and learn to accept people and their quirky ways.

The show works for me. Deschanel is extremely likeable and so far I've enjoyed the storylines. I was a bit confused in the second episode when Damon Wayans Jr. was M.I.A. A little research turned up the fact that Wayans is also on Happy Endings which was recently picked up by ABC. Hats off to Fox for not re-casting his character, only replacing him, that way the door is always open for him to return. I'm sure there has got to be some unwritten Wayans rule on the books over at Fox.

Insidious - DVD Review

I thought I would start off October on Colleenie’s Couch with a review a horror film I recently saw. Unlike my review for Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, this film did not even come close to my expectations.

Insidious received so much hype when it was in theaters. It was billed as a good ol’fashion horror flick and the tiny film raked in a much nicer chunk of revenue than expected. I was really looking forward to checking this out, but was quickly disappointed in finding out that the storyline was weak.

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