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00:00:07.120From the beautiful city of Los Angeles, California, we bring you the Gimme 3 Podcast.
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00:00:26.239Welcome back, Cinephiles, Cinema lovers, and movie appreciators to the Gimme 3 Podcast, a series for Cinephiles.
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00:00:30.399This is the show where we choose three films connected by one theme.
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00:00:32.000I'm your co-host, Bella F.
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00:00:32.799Stratus.
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00:00:42.560And while my marvelous co-host Nicholas Sabara is away this week, I'm joined by the brilliant writer, filmmaker, horror expert, and my dear friend, Jessica McLaughlin.
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00:00:44.799Welcome back to the show, Jess.
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00:00:48.079It's my pleasure to be here as always.
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00:00:51.840And I thank you so much for having me.
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00:00:53.119Oh my God, of course.
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00:01:05.040I was thinking, like, it's kind of I didn't realize how long it's been since we did an episode together, actually, because I was looking back and our last episode together was February, which is kidding.
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00:01:06.159Yeah.
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00:01:07.439I know.
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00:01:08.159Yeah.
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00:01:10.560I was like, this can't be right.
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00:01:12.879Like, where has my life gone?
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00:01:14.239Where is the time?
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00:01:20.239But yeah, for our listeners, we did a monsters in love for Valentine's Day.
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00:01:23.840We talked about ganja and Hess, good manners, and bones and all.
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00:01:29.920So if you love monster in love stories, monster love stories, definitely check it out.
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00:01:32.400Tooting our own horn, it's a good one.
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00:01:34.480No, it's so good.
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00:01:37.120And I love all those films.
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00:01:38.560So good.
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00:01:39.280So much fun.
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00:01:46.640Everyone should just, if if they haven't listened to the episode or watched those films, they need to remedy that immediately.
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00:01:48.480Absolutely.
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00:01:56.799Yeah, it's crazy to think eight months later we're back, and it is officially October, the best month of the whole year.
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00:01:59.519The first of spooky season.
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00:02:02.799And if Jess is on the show, then you know what that means.
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00:02:05.359We're talking about some horror movies.
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00:02:12.719This week we're kicking the month off with three horror films featuring a deadly curse.
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00:02:22.319So, as usual, Jess picked one, I picked one, and you, our lovely listeners, picked the third film by voting on our Instagram poll a while back.
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00:02:23.439You may remember it.
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00:02:30.960And yeah, just want to say thank you so much for taking the time to vote and choose which films we watch and discuss here on the show.
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00:02:38.400I actually love when the power is in your hands, and it's just always really fun to see what you guys all select.
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00:02:41.120So thank you for participating.
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00:02:44.240And I'm just so excited for this episode.
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00:02:46.960I feel like we should just dive in immediately.
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00:02:49.199So I second that.
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00:02:50.800Okay, awesome.
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00:02:52.080Let's do it.
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00:03:11.520All right, so first there was the 1991 novel by Koji Suzuki, then the 1998 film by Hideo Nakata, and in 2002, Gore Verbinski took on the American remake of the Japanese supernatural horror film The Ring.
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00:03:16.879The film opens with two teenage girls joking about the myth of a cursed videotape.
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00:03:21.680Supposedly, anyone who watches it will die exactly seven days later.
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00:03:30.960One of the girls, Katie, actually happened to watch this videotape exactly one week ago at a creepy cabin in the woods with her secret boyfriend and some friends.
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00:03:32.639And she's still alright.
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00:03:37.520Wrong! Katie dies an inexplicable death that very night.
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00:03:50.240Cut to Naomi Watts as our lead, Rachel, a single mom and journalist who's navigating handling her son's grief after the unexpected death of his cousin, Katie.
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00:03:58.479Desperate for answers, Katie's mom begs Rachel to do what she does best, ask questions and figure out what happened to her daughter.
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00:04:04.879Rachel visits the lodge in the exact cabin that Katie stayed in to track down this cursed videotape.
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00:04:09.280Naturally, she watches it, a series of haunting images.
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00:04:26.800It opens with a single luminous ring at the end of a dark tunnel, then a single chair in an empty room, a woman brushing her long black hair in the mirror, maggots, dead horses washed up on a beach, a woman falling off a cliff, and a stone well in the woods.
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00:04:29.199Very, very eerie stuff.
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00:04:33.920The video ends, and suddenly the phone rings.
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00:04:40.319On the other end of the line, in a creepy childlike voice, she hears it faintly whisper, Seven days.
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00:04:49.199Over the course of the next seven days, Rachel loops in her ex-husband Noah, who is a video analyst, to try to figure out who made the tape.
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00:05:00.160While carefully reviewing each image, they're able to identify the woman in it as Anna Morgan, a horse breeder who kills herself after her horses mysteriously drowned themselves.
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00:05:06.879Rachel soon discovers that Anna and her husband Richard had an adopted daughter named Samara.
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00:05:14.480Her existence was buried after she was institutionalized for her psychic ability to etch tormenting images into people's minds.
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00:05:19.439Her adopted father was convinced she was evil and that she was the reason his wife had died.
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00:05:27.839In the final days of the week, Rachel starts to experience horrifying dreams and even hallucinations that bleed into reality.
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00:05:37.120Time is ticking, and she must use her final days to uncover the mystery of Samara and the tape in the hopes that the truth might spare more than just her own life.
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00:05:44.160The Ring was a sleeper hit and remains on many favorite or classic American horror lists.
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00:05:52.079I think it's a great introduction to the genre itself, the kind of horror movie that you show to your younger sibling or cousin to traumatize them.
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00:05:56.000I did this to my youngest brother, Milo, so sorry, Milo.
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00:06:03.199Even if it doesn't scare the way maybe it used to, it will always have a special place in my heart.
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00:06:07.199But yeah, Jess, what are your thoughts on The Ring?
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00:06:09.920I love The Ring.
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00:06:18.560This was one of the movies that probably, you know, set me on the path to horror.
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00:06:28.800I know that the two, because I have both The Ring and The Ring Two, and both of my copies are like in the blockbuster cases.
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00:06:38.800So the ones I still have, I like in watching to prepare for this episode, I was watching it with my partner, and my partner was like, the quality of this is not good.
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00:06:46.800And I was like, I know I should probably get like 4K Blu-ray.
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00:06:50.720And like, and Ashley was like, but don't throw away the black.
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00:06:55.199I was like, no, we just like move that, we keep it for sentimental reasons.
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00:07:00.800Yes, yes, but we probably deserve better quality than this.
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00:07:06.959Than like the cast off rental bin block post where I got it.
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00:07:09.680But yes, no, I love the ring.
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00:07:18.240Also, in high school, I was very into Gore Verbinski because of the ring and Pirates of the Caribbean.
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00:07:20.480Like I was just like, this man is a genius.
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00:07:24.160Is he not the greatest filmmaker of all time alone for that?
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00:07:25.040Maybe.
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00:07:27.680I mean, those are two bangers.
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00:07:31.040So I don't think I was wrong.
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00:07:38.160It was like no yeah, it was Gore Verbinski and Danny Boyle, and I still absolutely adore Danny Boyle.
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00:07:39.040Yes.
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00:07:40.959That's so great.
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00:07:44.879And also Martin McDonough, because I was like, in Bruges is crazy.
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00:07:46.480And that's for a different episode.
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00:07:47.439Taste.
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00:07:54.399I yeah, you can dissect all you want that there were like no women directors.
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00:07:57.040Um there was Catherine Bigelow.
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00:07:58.160I did like Catherine Bigelow.
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00:07:58.639There you go.
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00:08:06.800Um, but yeah, I mean high school Jessica had a very narrow scope and it has since expanded exponentially.
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00:08:08.240But no, I love the ring.
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00:08:10.800I think it is a great horror movie.
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00:08:15.279I think it does a lot within the PG 13 sphere.
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00:08:16.480Oh my god, yeah.
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00:08:18.079I actually didn't even realize that.
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00:08:25.519It's genuinely like there are some really scary moments and sequences that like you would not think you're watching a PG 13 movie.
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00:08:33.039You would think, like, oh yeah, this is like just a quote unquote regular horror movie because we associate our ratings with horror movies.
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00:08:33.600Yeah.
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00:08:38.960I mean, like the the horse on the the what is it, fairy.
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00:08:39.360There we go.
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00:08:40.639That's the word I was like before.
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00:08:57.679That sequence is so good and so scary, and that suspense of like, you know, the the horse freaks out and it runs and it jumps off of this boat, and then when everyone runs to the other side to see if the horse makes it out from under when it goes under the boat, and all you see is blood in the water.
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00:09:02.080That is legitimately so smart.
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00:09:02.879Horrible.
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00:09:04.000It's horrible, yeah.
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00:09:10.000It's horrifying, like and you don't need to see like the mangled horse carcass, like it's enough.
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00:09:11.120We get it.
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00:09:13.840Yeah, we know what has happened.
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00:09:16.639It's just it's a very good movie.
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00:09:22.559I also love the journey of this woman.
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00:09:31.200I think that Naomi Watts' character is kind of so perfect because she's so imperfect.
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00:09:33.200She's like not great mom.
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00:09:34.399No, yeah.
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00:09:39.679I literally, when I was re-watching this, I was like, wait, is that her son?
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00:09:45.039Because he like calls her Rachel too, and then she's so just kind of like, yeah, whatever, whatever.
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00:09:47.759That I was like, maybe it's maybe it's like his aunt or something.
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00:09:49.279No, it's his mom.
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00:09:56.559No, it's just like he's at one point he's like making his own lunch and packing it and then being like, I'm going to school.
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00:09:59.120And she's just like in her room ignoring him.
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00:10:12.879And it's like, yeah, we we she is ultimately a very good mother in that she wants to protect her son and goes like she will move hell and heaven to to make it happen and to protect him.
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00:10:21.679But yeah, I mean, she's kind of this the antithesis of Anna Morgan, who like is the other central mother figure in the film.
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00:10:35.600She is like, you know, Anna Morgan is polished and she's a figure in society, and you know, she openly really loves her daughter, even though she doesn't, because Anna Morgan ends up being responsible for her daughter's death.
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00:10:40.559So it's it's very interesting that you have like this pulled together woman and then this hot mess of a woman.
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00:10:41.039Yes.
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00:10:42.879Oh my god, so true.
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00:10:53.200And these different arcs of kind of like what motherhood is, um, which are only continued in the ring two, and that's my plug for the ring two because I feel like no one watches it.
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00:11:06.960And I it's not perfect, I know, but it's really, really interesting because it's the whole premise of The Ring Two is you're learning more about Samara, but it's also the central question is what does it take to be a good mother?
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00:11:09.360And what if to be a good mother you have to kill your child?
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00:11:11.120Which is just mind-blowing.
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00:11:12.399Oh my god.
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00:11:14.320Well, I'm in.
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00:11:16.720I'll watch that.
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00:11:18.480That's disturbing.
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00:11:20.559Back to the ring.
00:11:20.879 -->
00:11:22.399Back to the ring.
00:11:23.200 -->
00:11:36.399But I I like the idea of one of the things I did in prepping for this episode is I gave a different kind of nomenclature to each curse that occurs in these films because they're all different types of curses.
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00:11:39.519And so this one was like the viral curse.
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00:11:43.360And it's there, I will give credit to this guy on Substack.
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00:11:44.960His name is Eric Shorey.
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00:12:03.519He had this really interesting article on Substack when I was doing prep that was talking about like how the ring, both the book, this movie, all the all the all of it, the original movie, kind of predicted viral videos.
00:12:04.000 -->
00:12:04.559Mmm.
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00:12:18.399And like how sharing these videos is like passing on this form of like illness, you know, like because a lot of sharing viral videos, you know, a lot of them are funny, but a lot of them are really fucked up.
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00:12:28.240So yes, it's this kind of viral video prediction, and how passing on this video to other people predates that.
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00:12:30.000And I thought that was really interesting.
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00:12:31.840That is so interesting.
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00:12:44.399Cause yeah, you totally, I mean, you know, the movie literally starts with teens watching this, talking about it, making fun of it, even though they're like, Yep, yeah, I watched it and it was like actually made me feel like shit, and it was the worst thing in the world.
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00:12:45.759But now I'm gonna joke about it.
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00:12:48.159And it's like, ah, that's very relatable.
00:12:48.399 -->
00:12:49.919And also with the internet.
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00:13:11.039When exactly with your with that age group, it's not something that necessarily continues on, but like when you're that age, when you would watch like really crazy shit or stuff that made you feel really gross, you'd be like, I need to share this with somebody else so they know how I'm feeling, and I can talk to them about it, and I can like process it with them.
00:13:11.679 -->
00:13:14.559And so, like, you would then share it with your friends.
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00:13:21.600And so it's like, you know, it's like this curse is going around and spreading with all these teenagers.
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00:13:22.480Yeah.
00:13:22.879 -->
00:13:23.919Oh my god.
00:13:24.320 -->
00:13:27.200And that's also the beginning of the ring too.
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00:13:33.279You have like these teenagers are like, this guy's has to get this girl to watch the tape, or he's gonna die.
00:13:33.519 -->
00:13:38.320Oh yes, they basically figured out that if you sh make a copy and show it to somebody else, yeah.
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00:13:39.679So it's still teenagers.
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00:13:43.600Damn those teens.
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00:13:49.279Oh, that is so fascinating.
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00:13:50.639I love that.
00:13:51.759 -->
00:13:53.120I also love the music.
00:13:53.279 -->
00:14:00.159I know that that's like I always forget how good the music is until I watch it and I'm just like, oh my god.
00:14:00.799 -->
00:14:07.039It just like it just gives gets you in the perfect mood, and then like the credits come up and it's Han Zimmer, and I'm like, what?
00:14:07.600 -->
00:14:08.080Right?
00:14:08.240 -->
00:14:09.200I had the same thing.
00:14:09.279 -->
00:14:10.960I was like, of course it is.
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00:14:24.399Because every time I'm like, I notice music in like not you know, a movie where it's maybe not like at the forefront exact necessarily, and then yeah, credits roll, and I'm like, oh, of course it's Han Zimmer.
00:14:24.559 -->
00:14:34.080Of course it's like the man who can make the best some of like just make music that really makes you feel so immersed in the film, for lack of a better way of explaining it.
00:14:34.159 -->
00:14:35.279But I totally agree with you.
00:14:35.360 -->
00:15:05.120And it and all starts with just the like beautiful, simple piano melody, but there's such a like sadness and like loneliness to it, like it just matches, it really is like Anna Morgan and Samara's theme a little bit in that like it just feels like you know, you just imagine them on that island that they live on, Muesco, Muesco Island or something like that.
00:15:06.000 -->
00:15:14.799Just like all alone, super isolated, isolated in their relationships with each other, like totally fractured and and horrible.
00:15:15.200 -->
00:15:18.559And yeah, it just like captures all of that.
00:15:18.639 -->
00:15:21.440So I'm so glad you shouted it out because I I love it.
00:15:21.519 -->
00:15:33.919I literally actually told Jonathan today, I was like, if you ever need ideas for gifts for me, uh you know, there's a vinyl of uh the ring score.
00:15:34.000 -->
00:15:35.600And he was like, What?
00:15:36.320 -->
00:15:38.320Like, I really, really want it, please.
00:15:38.559 -->
00:15:39.120Thank you.
00:15:39.440 -->
00:15:42.879You're just like, and and he's he's like, should I be concerned?
00:15:43.039 -->
00:15:47.200Yeah, and you're just like, no, yeah, why would you be concerned?
00:15:47.440 -->
00:15:48.080Don't worry about it.
00:15:48.240 -->
00:15:49.440Comes home, it's just playing.
00:15:49.519 -->
00:15:52.159I'm staring at the static on the TV.
00:15:52.720 -->
00:15:54.159Like, oh my god.
00:15:54.320 -->
00:15:56.240I don't know how he puts up with me.
00:15:56.960 -->
00:15:58.559No, I completely understand.
00:15:58.720 -->
00:16:02.799I mean, also just like the far-reaching impact of like the ring in my life.
00:16:02.960 -->
00:16:14.639I I was thinking about how many when I was a teacher, one of the things I would do when it was like a project was due or like uh we had a test or something.
00:16:15.200 -->
00:16:25.279If it was like a week out, yeah, I would always put like on the screen like a ring gif, and I would just say like seven days.
00:16:25.600 -->
00:16:26.799Seven days.
00:16:27.120 -->
00:16:28.720And no one got it.
00:16:29.279 -->
00:16:29.840Oh, yeah.
00:16:29.919 -->
00:16:34.879Like because so many I know so many kids like at that point probably hadn't watched The Ring or whatever.
00:16:34.960 -->
00:16:38.720I mean, I was teaching high school, so I wasn't like scarring everyone.
00:16:39.360 -->
00:16:44.639So I was teaching high school, but a lot of them, unless they were like really into horror, it wasn't a recent release.
00:16:44.799 -->
00:16:46.960I mean, this came out like 2002.
00:16:47.279 -->
00:16:48.480It was 2002.
00:16:48.639 -->
00:16:50.000I thought it was like what?
00:16:50.399 -->
00:16:54.320I know, I thought it was way, way more recent.
00:16:54.799 -->
00:16:56.960And I that also like shocked me.
00:16:57.039 -->
00:16:59.440I was like, what what how?
00:16:59.919 -->
00:17:01.200I'm getting old.
00:17:01.919 -->
00:17:02.879I guess we are.
00:17:03.120 -->
00:17:05.440I'm I'm that old lady in the room.
00:17:07.200 -->
00:17:09.200People are just like, okay, grandma.
00:17:12.880 -->
00:17:18.160No, it's I you know that is it is weird to think about that actually.
00:17:18.319 -->
00:17:28.720So not to go on like a side tangent with that, but I've seen a lot of criticism of like this movie where people are like, oh, how could the new generation ever relate?
00:17:28.799 -->
00:17:38.319Because it's so much like analog things being scary, like the landline ringing, and like, yeah, the the VHS itself.
00:17:38.640 -->
00:17:41.599And I'm like, who cares?
00:17:41.759 -->
00:17:45.839I don't think you need to like relate to it for it to be scary.
00:17:45.920 -->
00:17:52.319Like, I promise if you if you came home or you were home alone and your TV just randomly turned on with static, right?
00:17:52.559 -->
00:17:54.640You would you would be like, I don't like this.
00:17:54.799 -->
00:17:56.079I don't like this at all.
00:17:56.400 -->
00:18:14.160Well, there's you kind of perfectly set it up for like that thought was in this, I've seen this movie like a gazillion times, but in watching it this time, there's just like a very short sequence that happens.
00:18:14.240 -->
00:18:26.160And I have seen this sequence a million times, and I have always just been kind of like, oh, like just kind of thought it was filler or didn't really like appreciate the impact of it.
00:18:26.319 -->
00:18:44.880It's uh when Rachel is showing the video to her ex, Aiden's dad, and she goes out on the balcony because she doesn't want to watch it again, and she's looking into other people's apartments, and it's just like looking at the building across from hers.
00:18:44.960 -->
00:18:53.759And I always just thought that it was, you know, just I don't know, like a voyeuristic mo I didn't really like put two and two together.
00:18:53.920 -->
00:19:08.400Yeah, and it was in this time watching it, I was like, oh, this is establishing the stakes of the ending, where it's everyone has a TV in their home, and everybody is watching this TV like while they're doing everything.
00:19:08.640 -->
00:19:09.839Oh my god, yeah.
00:19:10.079 -->
00:19:15.279And so it's like showing how far reaching this thing could be, and like, and I was like, no wonder.
00:19:15.359 -->
00:19:22.319She's looking at all these TVs and is like freaked out that like at any point anybody could get this, and it's like it could take over the world.
00:19:22.559 -->
00:19:37.200Oh my god, it was like yeah, everyone's so vulnerable, yes, and so it's like we still live in that space where it's like everyone has a TV for the most part, you know, it is it is a luxury, but it has become much more commonplace, and right, yeah.
00:19:37.359 -->
00:19:43.279So it's like, wouldn't you be afraid if all of a sudden your TV started doing shit in your house?
00:19:43.920 -->
00:19:45.440It's so true.
00:19:45.759 -->
00:19:46.880Oh, I love that.
00:19:46.960 -->
00:19:49.279It's like such a rear window moment.
00:19:49.839 -->
00:19:59.119Yes, it is, and I thought it was kind of like an homage to that at first, and so I was like, oh, look at them, they're like showing their references, and then I started thinking about it.
00:19:59.200 -->
00:20:01.759I was like, oh wait, no, it's deeper than that.
00:20:02.160 -->
00:20:02.799So interesting.
00:20:02.960 -->
00:20:07.440I did not that did not click with me, but I that that makes perfect sense.
00:20:07.680 -->
00:20:15.279And I I remember like the first time I watched that scene being like, oh my god, is it gonna pop up on one of right?
00:20:15.519 -->
00:20:24.400Like you're surprised that it doesn't almost because you're just like, oh my god, wait, you're waiting for it, but oh yeah, wow, that's so interesting.
00:20:24.480 -->
00:20:28.079It's such a small scene, but yeah, such a big impact.
00:20:28.559 -->
00:20:48.000And I've seen a lot of people online talking about how like the cyclical nature of not just like it's it's like Gore Verbinski and the team who made this movie really understood all the different facets of the ring, where it's not just like that image, it's also the story structure.
00:20:48.160 -->
00:20:55.359It's also like there's they like loop so many kind of ring aspects in.
00:20:55.599 -->
00:20:59.839And I and it's like I was like, they're just they they did such a good job with this movie.
00:20:59.920 -->
00:21:03.200I wonder if they were on set and they were like, this is gonna be great.
00:21:03.920 -->
00:21:08.319It seems I can't imagine it not being that way because I totally agree.
00:21:08.480 -->
00:21:20.240Like, similar to like the taking jumping off of like the idea of it being kind of like cyclical, I really appreciate the kind of like formula of this movie.
00:21:20.480 -->
00:21:33.200Yes, and I think there's just something so satisfying about it, and and I'll admit, I think part of it is it's like kind of classic early 2000s horror where it's like everything happens as it should.
00:21:33.359 -->
00:21:42.880They explicitly lay out like what happens in the very first scene when you watch this tape, and then she watches it, and then all of that happens without hesitation.
00:21:42.960 -->
00:21:48.160Like, there's just it's straightforward, there's no tricks, there's no hesitation.
00:21:48.400 -->
00:21:50.400And then it's like, okay, that's the setup.
00:21:50.559 -->
00:21:52.400Now Thursday or whatever.
00:21:52.480 -->
00:21:54.880It's like now she has the seven days to figure it out.
00:21:55.039 -->
00:21:59.759And I can, I guess I can understand why some people may be like, oh, this is so formulated.
00:22:00.240 -->
00:22:01.759In a bad way, or like boring.
00:22:02.000 -->
00:22:08.240But I think it just makes all the reveals that much more exciting.
00:22:08.559 -->
00:22:21.440And and then it's also just kind of like nostalgic for another era of movies in that way, too, where it was like sometimes this is like an example where it's like sometimes the simple things are better.
00:22:21.759 -->
00:22:31.200But also now that I'm saying that, I'm like, this movie does something that's like simple, but then reveals so much more underneath each thing, if that makes sense.
00:22:31.359 -->
00:22:33.039I don't know how to I don't know how to articulate it.
00:22:33.119 -->
00:22:40.960But well, it's even like, you know, you might think of like, oh, seven days is just kind of like a ticking time clock that, you know, oh, blah, blah, blah, blah.
00:22:41.119 -->
00:22:45.359But then there's the reveal at the end where it's like, how long would it take you to survive in the well?
00:22:46.000 -->
00:22:49.759And how you would die after seven days, and you're like, oh, yes.
00:22:50.720 -->
00:22:52.559Oh my god, it's so sad.
00:22:52.799 -->
00:22:54.480And yes, that's totally what it is.
00:22:54.559 -->
00:22:59.759It's like everything that happens is so intentional and has like a purpose.
00:22:59.920 -->
00:23:05.680And the discovery of that purpose and the timing of it is just what makes this movie so good.
00:23:05.759 -->
00:23:08.400I think it's just it's amazing.
00:23:08.480 -->
00:23:09.279I love it.
00:23:09.599 -->
00:23:10.160It is.
00:23:10.319 -->
00:23:12.880I will now reign on the parade a little.
00:23:13.920 -->
00:23:14.960How dare you!
00:23:15.119 -->
00:23:15.920No, I'm excited.
00:23:16.079 -->
00:23:16.720Let's hear it.
00:23:17.200 -->
00:23:24.000I absolutely adore this movie, but I have read the book that everything, you know, that started it all.
00:23:24.319 -->
00:23:29.759I have not read like all six books in this like your spiral series.
00:23:30.160 -->
00:23:31.359Yes, there's six.
00:23:31.680 -->
00:23:32.319Wow.
00:23:33.119 -->
00:23:52.240But I have read the first one, and the thing that really made me compelled to read the book is because somebody, and I'm sorry I can't remember who it was, but there was a like horror scholar person on Instagram who was talking about the queer horror origins of the ring.
00:23:52.319 -->
00:23:54.400And I was like, What are you talking about?
00:23:54.559 -->
00:23:55.279I've seen the movie.
00:23:55.440 -->
00:23:55.599Yeah.
00:23:56.480 -->
00:23:58.160What are you where?
00:23:58.559 -->
00:24:10.079And so they they were like, in the book, Samara, who I mean, the Japanese name of the that figure in the book is Sidako.
00:24:10.960 -->
00:24:28.480So this character is actually intersex and it is through an act of violence where somebody, so it's not in the book, it's not the mother figure that kills her daughter.
00:24:28.880 -->
00:24:53.839It is a guy who had like been lusting after Sidako, who sexually assaults her in the woods, finds out that she is intersex, and in a like a gay panic, like hateful rage, kills her and shoves her in the well.
00:24:54.319 -->
00:24:54.640God.
00:24:55.599 -->
00:24:58.319So it's it's very different.
00:24:58.960 -->
00:25:05.839And I I think that what I like, I mean, I don't like all of those things happening.
00:25:06.000 -->
00:25:07.599That's that's horrendous.
00:25:07.759 -->
00:25:16.079But I think what I like about the source material is that we then are given so much more of a motive for this curse.
00:25:16.319 -->
00:25:16.720Yeah.
00:25:16.960 -->
00:25:21.200Where it's like, this is now, it's like an avenging spirit kind of thing.
00:25:22.720 -->
00:25:29.599I don't think that all avenging spirits need to be like, you know, sex victims, like sexually assaulted and killed.
00:25:29.680 -->
00:25:30.960Like, that's that's not what I'm saying.
00:25:31.039 -->
00:25:40.960But it's kind of don't like that trope of like, oh, let's have like the rape revenge trope of like, oh, okay, this person is raped, and then now they need to get their, you know, kill everybody.
00:25:41.200 -->
00:25:41.440Yes.
00:25:41.599 -->
00:25:42.400Um, yeah.
00:25:42.720 -->
00:25:53.440But I think the thing that is a little shoddy in the ring, you know, remake is that Samara just wants to kill because she likes it.
00:25:53.599 -->
00:26:00.720And it's like, well, so she's just like a creepy little girl is kind of like her whole thing.
00:26:00.799 -->
00:26:05.200And she just wants to kill because she likes killing people and hurting people.
00:26:05.359 -->
00:26:10.640And it's like, I mean, yeah, I guess there are people out there, like, but it just doesn't have that like depth.
00:26:10.880 -->
00:26:17.200Yeah, there it's not very yeah, depth is perfect, and especially even more in like emotional depth as well.
00:26:17.359 -->
00:26:19.119Like, you're not, you're not.
00:26:20.000 -->
00:26:27.920I feel like, yeah, I could be more emotionally tied to Samar than I end up being at the end of the film.
00:26:28.240 -->
00:26:40.880Like it, it I wonder almost if a part of that, I wonder if like maybe they did think about going that route, but like PG 13 and Dreamworks being involved.
00:26:41.039 -->
00:26:42.960I forgot this is a DreamWorks movie.
00:26:43.200 -->
00:26:44.720I know, I always forget that too.
00:26:44.960 -->
00:26:50.799When it first started, it's like the ring filter on DreamWorks, and it's like I'm like, what the what?
00:26:51.279 -->
00:26:52.079This is insane.
00:26:52.240 -->
00:26:53.279I had I always forgot.
00:26:53.440 -->
00:27:03.759I do wonder if like a part of the agreement or something was like you can't go too dark and creepy little girl is it?
00:27:04.000 -->
00:27:11.920I think, but or maybe they just didn't want to go, maybe they just wanted to take it in a totally different direction as well, which would make more sense.
00:27:12.240 -->
00:27:19.839I think also, I mean, one of my blind spots as a horror person is that I still haven't seen Ring Yu, the original.
00:27:20.400 -->
00:27:27.680And so, but I believe from what I've read that they also chose to kind of exclude that in the original as well.
00:27:27.920 -->
00:27:28.400Oh, okay.
00:27:28.640 -->
00:27:30.400Um, so I think it's just in the book.
00:27:30.799 -->
00:27:31.759Oh, interesting.
00:27:31.920 -->
00:27:33.440Well, so then that makes sense, yeah.
00:27:33.759 -->
00:27:35.519Because this is based off of that, right?
00:27:35.680 -->
00:27:36.720Instead of the Yes.
00:27:37.039 -->
00:27:39.119Okay, that all makes more sense, yeah.
00:27:39.680 -->
00:27:51.200But it is really interesting, like, you know, in I was reading about, you know, kind of the the setting for the book, and the book came out I think in was it 99 or 98, something like that?
00:27:51.440 -->
00:27:52.240Yeah, 98.
00:27:53.279 -->
00:28:01.119And so the book was being written when a lot of like the AIDS crisis was at its peak.
00:28:01.200 -->
00:28:13.119And so it's just kind of like which like the viral nature of the curse and also the fact that Sadako was a member of the queer community, like it just it feels all kind of it's interesting.
00:28:13.200 -->
00:28:18.960I don't know what it what it all means and what the author's intentions were, but there was definitely something going on.
00:28:19.200 -->
00:28:21.200Yeah, that's so interesting.
00:28:21.440 -->
00:28:23.920Yeah, oh wow, yeah.
00:28:24.480 -->
00:28:29.839That's amazing because it's yeah, it's so so you wouldn't you wouldn't find any of that in this movie.
00:28:30.000 -->
00:28:31.279I'll say no.
00:28:32.559 -->
00:28:43.680You do get a little bit like I like kind of you know, Samara becomes just kind of like representative of like the marginalized other, like, you know, she's this weird kid.
00:28:43.839 -->
00:28:50.079And then also in the ring two, we see that with Aiden also being this weird kid and also kind of probably presenting.
00:28:50.240 -->
00:28:58.400We don't see it too much in the first one, but definitely in the second one, he's presenting some aspects of maybe being on the autism spectrum.
00:28:58.640 -->
00:29:07.039So, you know, like it's kind of like these children are mirrors of each other in that sense of like the weird little kids.
00:29:07.359 -->
00:29:08.240Totally, yeah.
00:29:08.400 -->
00:29:13.200I mean, yeah, he's oh my god, he's so cute, but he's so mature.
00:29:14.000 -->
00:29:14.319Right?
00:29:14.400 -->
00:29:21.839And there's also like the adultified child thing with like the single motherhood, and I mean I'm not speaking from experience, haha.
00:29:21.920 -->
00:29:43.359Um but yeah, like it's just you know, so like Samara is a figure, I think, in a lot of other ways that like people see themselves in her as this kind of like othered kid, totally, so I think that you know there's definitely a lot there, but I also think it's interesting seeing her through the queer lens as well.
00:29:43.759 -->
00:30:04.720Absolutely, absolutely, and I uh I do want to take the uh moment to also I I have forgotten that DeVay Chase, who plays Samara in this, passed away this year, and yeah, I just wanted to say this is also I think this is such an amazing child performance.
00:30:05.200 -->
00:30:43.039It is like she killed it, she's so good, and a lot of it is just like voice work a little bit, but yeah, it's just it's such a great performance because it's so conflicting because I feel like she really does like trick you or deceive you, and in the sense that like there are moments where where it was like, okay, I can't tell if she is just a very sweet child that's in like a really abusive, horrible situation, or on the very other side, she actually is like evil, like truly something evil.
00:30:43.440 -->
00:30:55.839And that performance in the interview tape scene is so so great because yeah, she just I mean, she has kind of like a classic little creepy look.
00:30:56.000 -->
00:31:00.640Maybe it's only creepy now, because we've all you all know the look of Samara.
00:31:01.279 -->
00:31:08.000And but then when she talks, she's got that cute little voice that's Lelo's voice, which I had totally forgotten.
00:31:08.079 -->
00:31:09.039She plays Lilo.
00:31:09.920 -->
00:31:18.240And yeah, when she says, she says, like, oh, I love my mommy, you're just like, oh my god, this poor girl.
00:31:18.480 -->
00:31:35.920And then, like, by the end of the scene, she's talking about like, but I like hurting people, daddy doesn't know, and you're just like, oh my god, like we know you don't want to hurt people, and she's like, but I do, I do, and you're just like, what just happened?
00:31:36.079 -->
00:31:40.400Like the shift is so subtle, but it's so haunting.
00:31:40.559 -->
00:31:45.759It's yeah, you're like, oh, there's something really dark happening here.
00:31:46.000 -->
00:31:47.119Ugh, it's so great.
00:31:47.279 -->
00:31:50.319So just had to shout out the performance.
00:31:50.480 -->
00:31:54.240Great, great child performances, even from Aiden, the little boy.
00:31:54.400 -->
00:31:54.640Yeah.
00:31:54.799 -->
00:31:57.279What is his name's like David Dorfman?
00:31:57.440 -->
00:31:59.039Oh, yeah, I didn't write it down.
00:31:59.200 -->
00:32:05.440Because Ashley, when the credits came up and saw David Dorfman, Ashley was like, that's a grown man name.
00:32:06.079 -->
00:32:08.640That's that little boy.
00:32:08.880 -->
00:32:13.680Kind of really the grown man name fits his character in it.
00:32:15.200 -->
00:32:17.039I fucking love this movie.
00:32:17.359 -->
00:32:18.000I do too.
00:32:18.079 -->
00:32:19.599I wish we could keep talking about it.
00:32:21.200 -->
00:32:22.559There's so much to talk about.
00:32:22.720 -->
00:32:27.680Okay, I'll say any any final thoughts that you want to share before we move on.
00:32:28.319 -->
00:32:31.119Shout out to Brian Cox, being the dad.
00:32:33.279 -->
00:32:35.920I I love the intro.
00:32:36.079 -->
00:32:45.279If you love Brian Cox, it's such a great intro because she like comes up on him in this like field and he turns around and he just goes, You want to know about the horses?
00:32:46.720 -->
00:32:47.759And I don't know why.
00:32:47.920 -->
00:32:49.440It just gets me every time.
00:32:49.519 -->
00:32:52.240I'm like, oh, Brian Cox, what a guy.
00:32:52.559 -->
00:33:11.200Oh, I also like his death scene is so crazy, and I like always forget that that's how he chooses to end his life, yeah, until like she goes back to the house, and I'm like, oh no, oh no, I forgot.
00:33:12.240 -->
00:33:15.039Talk about being surprised it's PG 13.
00:33:15.119 -->
00:33:18.559Like that, yeah, that scene is so gnarly.
00:33:18.640 -->
00:33:22.160It's so you're just like, what the what did I just watch?
00:33:22.480 -->
00:33:22.880And why?
00:33:23.680 -->
00:33:24.000Why?
00:33:24.160 -->
00:33:25.279Why this way?
00:33:25.759 -->
00:33:30.240I know it's so, it's it's really this film is really well done.
00:33:30.400 -->
00:33:31.920Yeah, it's so great.
00:33:32.160 -->
00:33:57.759My I I have to say, because I didn't touch on it, but I just have to shout out how much I love just the look of this film, like the visual style is so gorgeous, and their commitment to this like sickly green, cold, blue, grim, grimy color palette for literally the entirety of the film is one of my favorite things ever.
00:33:57.920 -->
00:34:31.039So yeah, some and I just learned that the cinematographer Boyan Bazzelli, they did this like largely in camera, like it wasn't just an aesthetic choice made in post post, like from the beginning, they knew they wanted to like commit to this specific visual style with like green filtration, soft lighting, and I think it's also shot on 35 millimeter, and then like the colors kind of refined the final image with color timing.
00:34:31.280 -->
00:34:39.440But it just that when you were talking about like I wonder if they knew as they were making it, like, yeah, this shit is awesome.
00:34:39.679 -->
00:34:45.760Apart because, like, knowing that fact, I was like, they had to like from the beginning, they were like, it's gonna look like this.
00:34:46.000 -->
00:34:47.920This is gonna come out so well.
00:34:48.239 -->
00:34:53.440But yeah, I I thought that was so interesting because it it's it's a pretty extreme commitment.
00:34:53.599 -->
00:34:55.840Like the color palette is so extreme.
00:34:56.159 -->
00:34:56.880It's so good.
00:34:57.039 -->
00:35:06.000I think I saw like a letterbox review that someone said that was like, this movie makes me so depressed, but it might just be the color, the color correction or something like that.
00:35:06.239 -->
00:35:09.039And I was just like, or it's it's phenomenal.
00:35:09.199 -->
00:35:12.559Like that's so funny.
00:35:12.800 -->
00:35:14.320Ugh, I love that.
00:35:15.039 -->
00:35:18.000If you haven't seen it, I think it's worth the watch.
00:35:18.320 -->
00:35:27.360And you can check it out on Canopy if you have a free LA or if you have, yeah, an LA public library card.
00:35:27.519 -->
00:35:33.920I think it's only like streaming right now, but you could definitely find this at your local video store.
00:35:34.639 -->
00:35:38.079So definitely check it out and let us know what you think.
00:35:38.400 -->
00:35:46.159And with it being spooky season, I'm sure if you look around, there are some like repertory screenings near you.
00:35:46.400 -->
00:35:49.599Oh, it'd be so good to see in theaters.
00:35:49.840 -->
00:35:50.400Yes.
00:35:50.639 -->
00:35:51.840I'm gonna look now.
00:35:52.159 -->
00:35:52.960I know, right?
00:35:53.679 -->
00:35:54.880We need to go.
00:35:56.880 -->
00:35:57.599Oh my god.
00:35:57.760 -->
00:35:59.280God, I could talk about that movie.
00:36:02.880 -->
00:36:03.519All right.
00:36:03.760 -->
00:36:24.639Up next, we have our listeners' pick, Sam Raimi's Return to Horror after his Spider-Man trilogy, in 2009 with Drag Me to Hell, directed and co-written by Sam Raimi with Ivan Raimi, his older brother, and produced by his production company, Ghost House Pictures, with a budget of$30 million.
00:36:25.760 -->
00:36:31.199Similar to The Ring, the film opens with the first instance of this curse.
00:36:31.440 -->
00:36:37.280In 1969, a young boy was cursed after stealing a silver necklace from a Romani woman.
00:36:37.519 -->
00:36:44.559Despite his efforts to return it, he starts hearing evil voices and is convinced someone or something is after him.
00:36:44.800 -->
00:36:50.239His parents take him to a medium named Sean Sandana and hopes she can help him.
00:36:50.480 -->
00:36:58.880But as she comes face to face with the demon during a seance, she is powerless and forced to watch as it drags the young boy down to hell.
00:36:59.599 -->
00:37:00.480Insane.
00:37:01.039 -->
00:37:10.480Cut to present day, Alison Loman plays Christine Brown, a bank loan officer vying for the assistant manager promotion position.
00:37:11.039 -->
00:37:20.960In competition with her asshole male coworker Stu, Christine puts her morals to the side when her boss tells her he's looking for someone who's gonna make the hard choices.
00:37:21.199 -->
00:37:29.280So when Sylvia Ganoush, an elderly an elderly woman, comes in begging for a third extension on her mortgage, Christine denies her request.
00:37:29.519 -->
00:37:36.400Even after she starts making a bit of a scene begging, she publicly shames her by having her escorted out of the bank.
00:37:36.880 -->
00:37:40.159Later in the parking lot, Sylvia attacks Christine.
00:37:40.320 -->
00:37:47.920She rips a button off of Christine's coat and curses it, places it in her palm, and tells her, soon you'll come begging to me.
00:37:48.480 -->
00:37:50.960And she does, but too little too late.
00:37:51.119 -->
00:37:53.599Sylvia, unfortunately, has since died.
00:37:54.719 -->
00:38:00.239Over the next three days, Christine is plagued by horrific hallucinations and attacked by demons.
00:38:00.400 -->
00:38:08.480She's been acting crazy at work, crazy when meeting her boyfriend's parents for the first time, and by the third day, all seems lost.
00:38:08.880 -->
00:38:21.920Fortunately, she finds she takes solace in a local medium named Ram Jas, who puts her in touch with Shansandana, who has spent the last 40 years waiting for another chance to fight the demon.
00:38:22.159 -->
00:38:32.320They hatch a plan to hold a seance where Sandina will embody the demon, known as the Lamia, transfer him to a goat, and slay the goat to end the Lamia for good.
00:38:32.719 -->
00:38:38.400Unfortunately, the Lamya manages to evade this transfer and kills Shansandana instead.
00:38:39.280 -->
00:38:42.960Christine's left with one option and one option only.
00:38:43.199 -->
00:38:49.440The only way to break the curse is by giving the cursed item, a button, to someone else.
00:38:50.079 -->
00:38:54.639The catches whoever she gifts it to will burn in hell for eternity.
00:38:55.039 -->
00:38:56.320Tough choice.
00:38:56.559 -->
00:39:06.320It's classic Sam Raimi, balls to the wall, no pulling on the reins, with stunts, screams, and gore and just disgusting things, of course.
00:39:06.639 -->
00:39:11.920He puts this poor actress and her stunt tumbles through the fucking ringer with this one.
00:39:13.280 -->
00:39:15.039Yeah, I'm excited to hear.
00:39:15.280 -->
00:39:17.199Man, what a what a movie for y'all to pick.
00:39:17.360 -->
00:39:25.360I was so surprised that this one over it was it was a close, almost a tie with It Follows.
00:39:25.679 -->
00:39:30.000So our listeners, let us know what you really love about this one.
00:39:30.480 -->
00:39:34.000But Jess, had you you'd seen this one before, but not for a while.
00:39:34.800 -->
00:39:36.000It had been a minute.
00:39:36.159 -->
00:39:39.280I saw it probably very close to when it came out.
00:39:39.360 -->
00:39:40.880Um because this one was a little bit later.
00:39:40.960 -->
00:39:42.159This was 2009.
00:39:42.320 -->
00:39:42.639Yeah.
00:39:42.800 -->
00:39:47.199As opposed to the ring, like with 2002, I was still a little, I was a little young.
00:39:47.519 -->
00:39:49.679And so I had to wait to see the ring for a little bit.
00:39:49.920 -->
00:39:52.559But Dragon of Hell, I don't think I saw it in theaters.
00:39:52.639 -->
00:39:57.280It might have been another blockbuster bin perhaps.
00:39:58.000 -->
00:39:58.400Yep.
00:39:58.800 -->
00:40:13.519But also I got I I mean, I look very different now because I like always wear glasses and I have red hair, but in high school, my natural hair color is blonde and I would wear contacts more.
00:40:13.760 -->
00:40:20.000And so I got told frequently that I looked like Alison Lohman from Drag Me to Hell.
00:40:20.320 -->
00:40:21.679That's so funny.
00:40:22.400 -->
00:40:25.920Yes, she's you know, very like doe-eyed.
00:40:26.079 -->
00:40:34.880And when I was re-watching with my partner in prep for this episode, they just kept like looking over at me and they're like, There's just moments.
00:40:35.519 -->
00:40:39.360There's moments where I see you, and then there's moments where I see Allison.
00:40:40.079 -->
00:40:41.599I'm like, shut up.
00:40:42.800 -->
00:40:44.239That is so good.
00:40:45.119 -->
00:40:46.800I don't see it very much.
00:40:46.960 -->
00:40:48.719Maybe when I was like younger.
00:40:49.039 -->
00:40:52.320I can kind of see it now that you say it, actually.
00:40:52.719 -->
00:40:55.679It's it's much more apparent in high school.
00:40:56.000 -->
00:41:01.760But yeah, now I'm like, eh, I don't I don't think I give anyone that impression anymore.
00:41:02.719 -->
00:41:07.519This was one that like I always remembered liking the beginning.
00:41:08.559 -->
00:41:15.119And then remembering it, remembering in my head that it fell off and that I didn't really like the rest of it.
00:41:15.920 -->
00:41:20.000And in re-watching for this episode, it still remains true.
00:41:20.239 -->
00:41:22.719Yeah, I feel that so much.
00:41:22.880 -->
00:41:32.159Like, I have a really hard time with this movie because when I've every single time I've like started it, I'm like, oh, why don't I like this movie as much as I think I do?
00:41:32.320 -->
00:41:41.760Like it's so much fun, it's moving around, it's moving so well, starts really strong, starts so strong, and then the fall off is like literally straight off a cliff.
00:41:41.920 -->
00:41:45.599Like it happens so quickly, and you're just like, oh no.
00:41:46.719 -->
00:41:49.920And it doesn't totally come back around, in my opinion.
00:41:50.159 -->
00:41:52.159So I totally yeah, I agree.
00:41:52.239 -->
00:41:54.239I still, I still like this movie.
00:41:54.559 -->
00:42:02.400I think it's really a fun watch, but I can't say I I can't say I love it, I think.
00:42:02.559 -->
00:42:03.199I don't know.
00:42:03.440 -->
00:42:07.119I also just like I don't like the character of Christine.
00:42:07.920 -->
00:42:09.440And I don't think we're supposed to.
00:42:09.519 -->
00:42:10.079That's the thing.
00:42:10.159 -->
00:42:16.480Like, we're you know, she's selfish the whole time, and that's why she ends up eventually, you know, dying.
00:42:16.559 -->
00:42:28.480And it's it's like the the type of curse that this is, it's all based on morality, and it's it's kind of like a fable, this whole film of like basically treat people nicely or you're gonna get dragged to hell.
00:42:28.800 -->
00:42:45.039Um and so like she never we're never really supposed to like we root for her as the protagonist to see how like things work out, but she never really kind of feels bad for her actions.
00:42:45.199 -->
00:42:51.760I mean, she like at the end realizes oh yeah, maybe I should have like given her another extension on her mortgage.
00:42:51.920 -->
00:42:57.760Yeah, she has like that last like revelation after everything, and I'm like realized, and you're like, shut up, bitch.
00:42:57.920 -->
00:42:58.559You're like, really?
00:42:58.960 -->
00:43:06.960Yeah, oh you while you were buying your new jacket for your Santa Barbara weekend, yeah, with your rich boyfriend, okay.
00:43:07.360 -->
00:43:08.000Yuck.
00:43:08.800 -->
00:43:10.480Oh, yes, I agree.
00:43:10.559 -->
00:43:12.079She's awful, she's the worst.
00:43:12.320 -->
00:43:14.320You're obviously really broken up.
00:43:14.800 -->
00:43:23.679Yeah, but like it's also just kind of like because she does all this stuff, and even when like she makes the decision not to give the curse to like another living person.
00:43:24.000 -->
00:43:26.800That's true, which you're like, oh, look at you.
00:43:27.039 -->
00:43:42.960Yeah, but then she decides to continue to degrade this woman by like the ultimate uh like indignity of digging her up and like shoving this thing, like trying to shove it down her throat and like prying this woman's mouth open with a shovel.
00:43:43.119 -->
00:43:45.280I'm like, you're the worst.
00:43:45.840 -->
00:43:46.639Yeah, I know.
00:43:46.800 -->
00:43:48.800She also doesn't care that she killed her cat, by the way.
00:43:48.960 -->
00:43:58.400So that yeah, for yeah, anyone sensitive to animal deaths in films, you uh you probably shouldn't watch this movie.
00:43:58.559 -->
00:43:59.760Like she's just like, oh yeah.
00:44:00.320 -->
00:44:01.440I don't know where the cat went.
00:44:02.320 -->
00:44:03.920Like, what the is wrong with you?
00:44:04.239 -->
00:44:05.760That scene is so insane.
00:44:05.920 -->
00:44:07.119Cause yeah, oh my God.
00:44:07.199 -->
00:44:08.239I'm so glad you brought that up.
00:44:08.400 -->
00:44:18.079Cause I know it's a minor scene, but it's like all of a sudden she's a totally different person than like the person they've been trying to make you believe she is.
00:44:18.400 -->
00:44:21.039And yeah, she's like, Oh, I had a cat.
00:44:21.119 -->
00:44:23.199And her boyfriend's like, You have a cat.
00:44:23.360 -->
00:44:27.360And she's like, just has this wonk, freaky.
00:44:27.840 -->
00:44:28.800You don't know where they go.
00:44:28.960 -->
00:44:30.159You know how cats are.
00:44:30.400 -->
00:44:31.760How am I supposed to know?
00:44:31.920 -->
00:44:32.880I'm like, what?
00:44:33.679 -->
00:44:35.519What are you talking about?
00:44:35.760 -->
00:44:36.719It's so, yeah.
00:44:36.880 -->
00:44:37.599Oh my god.
00:44:37.760 -->
00:44:40.320It's maybe that's like the reveal.
00:44:40.559 -->
00:44:41.360Yeah, I know.
00:44:41.440 -->
00:44:41.679Yeah.
00:44:41.760 -->
00:44:44.079Her characterization, it just really pisses me off.
00:44:44.239 -->
00:44:44.559I agree.
00:44:44.639 -->
00:44:48.480It's one of the bigger things that I can't get over with this movie.
00:44:48.559 -->
00:44:56.239Cause I I sort of feel like they're still trying to push this narrative that she is like a sweet little farm girl just trying to fit in.
00:44:56.400 -->
00:45:01.039But then they're also pushing the other narrative of like, yeah, but also she's a bitch.
00:45:01.199 -->
00:45:06.400And and I guess that can that could work, but I don't think it does in the end.
00:45:06.800 -->
00:45:14.159I think it's the this I felt a similar way in re-watching this that I'm not gonna let it overtake the episode.
00:45:14.239 -->
00:45:15.840I'm giving you that now.
00:45:16.800 -->
00:45:19.280This is just a prep to preface my thought.
00:45:19.599 -->
00:45:23.760But when I was watching Obsession, I felt very similar about Bear.
00:45:23.920 -->
00:45:26.559I'm like, okay, what line are we walking?
00:45:26.719 -->
00:45:27.119Yes.
00:45:27.360 -->
00:45:38.480It seems like the filmmakers know that we're not supposed to like this person, that we're not supposed to like root for them, but then you're also we are aligned with them because of the story.
00:45:38.639 -->
00:45:40.320Yeah, I am confused.
00:45:40.880 -->
00:45:42.320It's so confusing.
00:45:42.480 -->
00:45:45.039That's actually such a perfect comparison.
00:45:45.280 -->
00:45:48.320Like that I at least for me, I totally agree with that.
00:45:48.400 -->
00:46:04.559Of like, and then and then it's so hard to be emotionally invested because you're just like, okay, well, at this point, either she needs to die, or or I don't know, like I guess maybe she doesn't get punished.
00:46:04.960 -->
00:46:08.639But I guess that's why I kind of do love the ending of this movie.
00:46:09.199 -->
00:46:10.960Yeah, no, I love when she gets dragged down.
00:46:11.119 -->
00:46:14.960Yeah, it falls off so hard, and then you're like, wait, what the hell?
00:46:15.119 -->
00:46:19.360She's gonna have like a happy ending, and then you're like, uh, nice.
00:46:19.519 -->
00:46:22.400And that's what I didn't like about obsession anyway.
00:46:22.800 -->
00:46:24.880Yes, it's the opposite, yeah.
00:46:25.039 -->
00:46:25.679Oh my god.
00:46:25.760 -->
00:46:26.880Oh my god, we can't go there.
00:46:26.960 -->
00:46:27.599I know you listeners.
00:46:28.480 -->
00:46:30.960You listeners are waiting for the obsession episode.
00:46:31.119 -->
00:46:32.400It's never coming.
00:46:32.559 -->
00:46:33.360No, it might.
00:46:33.440 -->
00:46:34.000I don't know.
00:46:34.239 -->
00:46:37.760It's not this one, it's not this one, it's not this one.
00:46:37.920 -->
00:46:45.199I will say, like, another thing that really bugs me is I I'm very sensitive to like the old crone trope.
00:46:45.440 -->
00:46:48.000Yeah where it's just like, guess what's scary?
00:46:48.320 -->
00:46:52.159Old women! And it's just like the fuck?
00:46:52.320 -->
00:47:19.440What we can't do more than that, and but yeah, it's like they lean so hard into that in this movie, and not only like there's so much problematic like Romani people depiction, and like the yeah, that is a whole nother thing, and there's also the whole like magical people of color where all of the people who are like have larger roles in this film that are people of color are all trying to save this white girl anyway.
00:47:19.920 -->
00:47:24.719Um there's so much there that we could probably have a whole hour-long discussion.
00:47:25.119 -->
00:47:44.320Yes, yes, but like I just hate like the when we have this older woman on screen that like we're constantly doing things that make her look gross and disgusting, and like yeah, I just like I was like, Okay, yeah, she has a snotty nose.
00:47:44.400 -->
00:47:53.760I'm sorry, like that is kind of gross, but we all have snotty noses sometimes, and it's like, oh, okay, I don't need to see her take out her dendrons, dentrons for the candy.
00:47:54.079 -->
00:48:03.440I'm good on like and then like slobbing on the mouth, and then the there's just so many, there's so many gross, quote unquote, gross old lady instances.
00:48:03.679 -->
00:48:09.280Yeah, and I'm not I was just like it gets to a certain point where you're like, uh no.
00:48:09.760 -->
00:48:16.960It's just yeah, it's it's so tough because she does nothing wrong.
00:48:17.599 -->
00:48:19.599Like, I know that maybe sounds crazy.
00:48:19.840 -->
00:48:28.880Yeah, like yeah, she's just it's just a it's basically the whole movie is basically just her revenge rather than like, oh, this poor girl.
00:48:29.119 -->
00:48:32.880But then there's yeah, there's no redemption whatsoever.
00:48:34.000 -->
00:48:37.760I guess besides the fact that it's like yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:48:37.920 -->
00:48:45.920I guess besides the fact that it's like, oh haha, you like put the wrong envelope in her mouth in the grave.
00:48:46.880 -->
00:48:48.159Joke on it, bitch.
00:48:48.239 -->
00:48:49.840I'm like, please.
00:48:50.480 -->
00:49:01.119Also, yeah, there are times, okay, like this is a good callback because there are there are times when Naomi Watts in the ring says something and you're like, that's fucking right.
00:49:01.280 -->
00:49:05.039And it's like the delivery is just so good.
00:49:05.199 -->
00:49:14.719And then, like, with Allison Lohman and Drag Me to Hell, it's like there are moments where she's just like, yeah, choke on it, bit, and you're like, Are you do you have cheerleading after this?
00:49:15.679 -->
00:49:17.199I I did not buy it.
00:49:17.360 -->
00:49:22.079You just seem you're like, you're you're the commitment was not there, not at all.
00:49:22.239 -->
00:49:27.760Yeah, it's it's really uneven, I guess you could say.
00:49:28.400 -->
00:49:42.400Like there are moments where I'm like, oh, I'm really into it, and then yeah, like certain line delivery where you're like, I would have would have done that differently, but she's not the only reason it's it's cult classic material by any means.
00:49:42.719 -->
00:49:43.199Exactly.
00:49:43.360 -->
00:49:51.199Like, I think there are some earlier Sam Raimi stuff where it is that like that tonal disparity.
00:49:51.519 -->
00:49:52.159Yeah.
00:49:52.480 -->
00:49:55.039And it's kind of like his style.
00:49:55.199 -->
00:49:59.679And so, like, for fans of Sam Raimi, like people are like, oh yeah, that's just him.
00:49:59.760 -->
00:50:05.519And and it is like, I mean, he does like the the horror campy comedy kind of thing.
00:50:05.679 -->
00:50:05.920Yeah.
00:50:06.079 -->
00:50:11.840Like that's you know, he he does that really well, but like but sometimes better than others.
00:50:12.000 -->
00:50:14.800Like it is it is a hard needle to thread.
00:50:15.039 -->
00:50:16.639Yes, I totally agree.
00:50:16.800 -->
00:50:22.079Like, I recently watched Evil Dead 2, and I loved it.
00:50:22.159 -->
00:50:23.840I was like, this is the best movie ever.
00:50:24.079 -->
00:50:25.760I'm so glad I watched this.
00:50:25.920 -->
00:50:35.280And then and then I watched this, like having just watched that, and it's like it's so great because you do see elements of it where you're like, oh, I see what he's trying to do.
00:50:35.440 -->
00:50:40.719But like you said, it's yeah, it is like a fine line, surprisingly.
00:50:40.960 -->
00:50:50.000Because it's even like if you watch Army of Darkness, like it skews so far into ridiculous, and it becomes much more comedy than horror.
00:50:50.159 -->
00:50:59.599Yes, it's very hard to do all of it, which is why everyone should watch Widow's Bay, because it perfectly I found this boat.
00:51:00.639 -->
00:51:01.360Did you okay?
00:51:01.440 -->
00:51:02.320We won't talk about it now.
00:51:02.480 -->
00:51:03.920I know, I know, but we'll have to.
00:51:04.400 -->
00:51:05.519It's so good.
00:51:06.400 -->
00:51:07.440Oh my god.
00:51:07.599 -->
00:51:08.800Yeah, that's a great shout.
00:51:08.960 -->
00:51:10.320That's a great shout.
00:51:10.880 -->
00:51:17.840Yeah, no, I I think I'm actually I'm so glad we watched this though, because it is such a perfect like curse.
00:51:17.920 -->
00:51:21.599Like it's so perfect for it's this episode.
00:51:21.840 -->
00:51:27.920It's kind of like what's the it's like the poster child for a cur for a curse movie.
00:51:28.159 -->
00:51:37.920Yes, because it's it's you know, at first I was like, oh, the ring is the poster child, but this one is just so like it's a literal, I curse you.
00:51:38.159 -->
00:51:39.519I have cursed you.
00:51:39.760 -->
00:51:41.039I'm under a curse.
00:51:41.199 -->
00:51:43.920Like, oh no, I have to lift it.
00:51:44.000 -->
00:51:46.320I have to find a way to lift the curse.
00:51:46.800 -->
00:51:56.960I will say one of the things that does stick with me from this movie is her getting the nosebleed at work and it going everywhere.
00:51:57.199 -->
00:51:58.159Oh, it's so good.
00:51:58.239 -->
00:52:05.119Yeah, we should talk about some of the things that we uh because there are things that do crack me up and I love and enjoy about the film.
00:52:05.199 -->
00:52:07.039And so good and so good.
00:52:07.599 -->
00:52:09.280I'm so afraid of it happening to me.
00:52:09.440 -->
00:52:12.960I'm like, like, what if you had a nosebleed like that?
00:52:13.199 -->
00:52:16.719I know it's like the physics don't match raining everywhere.
00:52:17.280 -->
00:52:17.920Oh my god.
00:52:18.079 -->
00:52:20.239I love that she's fully like conscious for it too.
00:52:20.320 -->
00:52:21.840She's just like, oh no.
00:52:22.239 -->
00:52:24.960Oh my god, I'm so sorry.
00:52:27.360 -->
00:52:28.800I love that scene.
00:52:29.119 -->
00:52:33.519Also, I love the use of like flies in this movie.
00:52:33.599 -->
00:52:35.679Yeah, it's so disgusting.
00:52:35.920 -->
00:52:53.760And there's such a great scene where she's sleeping, and you see this fly come in through her window, and it's like kind of like landing on her face, and she's twitching, and and then the camera's just like pushing in more and more and more, where it's like all you're thinking about is how close this fly is to her nose.
00:52:54.000 -->
00:52:54.480Yeah.
00:52:54.719 -->
00:52:59.679And you see it like crawl up her nose one nostril and out the other.
00:53:00.159 -->
00:53:14.239And then, and if you don't think that's bad enough, then it like literally pryes its like way into her mouth, like through her lips, and you're just like, This is the worst thing I've ever seen.
00:53:14.800 -->
00:53:19.199It's so it makes like my skin crawl, just thinking about it.
00:53:19.280 -->
00:53:22.480But I love it because you're just forced to watch it.
00:53:23.440 -->
00:53:36.639It was great watching it with Ashley because again, Ashley had not seen this, and so when when the fly was right by the nose, Ashley was just like, no, it's gonna go in there.
00:53:38.079 -->
00:53:39.760It's gonna go in the nose.
00:53:39.920 -->
00:53:42.480And I was just like, Yeah, it is.
00:53:42.719 -->
00:53:44.320Yeah, you got it, you got it.
00:53:44.719 -->
00:53:52.960And then when it went in went in her mouth, Ashley was like, no, I don't blame them because it is horrible.
00:53:55.280 -->
00:54:10.239And what follows is even worse because then she has a dream where this older woman vomits maggots and mealworms into her mouth, and apparently there was some dirt too.
00:54:10.639 -->
00:54:13.599And dirt, yeah, and allegedly they are real.
00:54:14.719 -->
00:54:16.239I would not be surprised.
00:54:16.320 -->
00:54:25.920I mean, they looked real, and I know that there are there is much power in special effects, but like they looked pretty spot on.
00:54:26.239 -->
00:54:28.079Yeah, like it looks bad.
00:54:28.320 -->
00:54:30.880And Alison Loman's mouth is fully open.
00:54:32.239 -->
00:54:33.599Yeah, oh god.
00:54:33.679 -->
00:54:46.079It's probably the most memorable scene for me because you're just like, oh my god, that was that was too real out of the other stuff that's a little more like campy, kitschy, but all good fun.
00:54:49.199 -->
00:54:51.679I was trying to refrain, I guess I'll say it anyway.
00:54:51.840 -->
00:54:54.480It just made me think of I was watching Nathan for You.
00:54:55.679 -->
00:55:06.719And it was when he was trying to get people to the the like what was it, the car wash, and he's trying to talk to people and the the birds are pooping on the car, and then he gets some in his mouth.
00:55:13.280 -->
00:55:16.559And he's just like that's what I thought of when I watched that scene.
00:55:16.639 -->
00:55:20.000I was like, oh no, so gross.
00:55:23.519 -->
00:55:24.719Oh my god.
00:55:25.199 -->
00:55:44.159Yeah, this is I I have a funny story of I it's not that funny, but the first time I watched this movie was in high school, and my high school was having like Halloween horror movie night, and I was so excited, and I get there and it's like fired.
00:55:45.840 -->
00:55:48.079You know, it's kind of an absurd movie to show.
00:55:48.239 -->
00:55:50.559I was like, yeah, I'm gonna go see Drag Me to Hell.
00:55:50.880 -->
00:55:56.880But they showed it in like just our little library on a really, really small screen.
00:55:57.039 -->
00:55:57.360Oh my god.
00:55:57.519 -->
00:56:04.639And we were all like the lights were on, and we were all sitting in these like metal chairs, just so uncomfortable.
00:56:04.800 -->
00:56:17.039And it was such a perfect example of like how much setting can change how you experience specifically a horror movie, because I was like, this is the dumbest movie I've ever seen in my life.
00:56:17.199 -->
00:56:18.719I cannot believe I came here.
00:56:18.800 -->
00:56:24.400I was I I went home so pissed because I was like, this is not what I had in mind.
00:56:24.639 -->
00:56:35.360And then the second time I watched it was I think last year or two years ago at the New Beverly, and I had like a whole other experience.
00:56:35.440 -->
00:56:41.760Like I was like, it was the second movie, and I was like, I don't know if I'm gonna stay for like a double feature because I was like, I don't like this movie.
00:56:42.079 -->
00:56:56.159But being in the dark, like pitch black, and the sound in this movie is so loud, like obscenely loud, and a lot of the jump scares are just like this blaring noise.
00:56:56.480 -->
00:57:06.079And yeah, seeing it in that setting, I was surprisingly like getting jump scares that I never would have ever thought would happen after my first watch in the library.
00:57:07.360 -->
00:57:10.639Yes, Noah, you know, I completely I completely agree.
00:57:10.800 -->
00:57:12.960Like the setting settings everything.
00:57:13.360 -->
00:57:14.320It is, yeah.
00:57:14.559 -->
00:57:19.440And yeah, no, I can't imagine seeing this in the theater, it would be great.
00:57:19.599 -->
00:57:20.719It would be excuse.
00:57:21.599 -->
00:57:23.840Especially with like an audience who loves it.
00:57:24.079 -->
00:57:26.320It was it it was really exciting.
00:57:26.480 -->
00:57:38.320So I will say, if that sounds fun to you, I highly recommend because yeah, it was it totally changed like how I felt about them the movie, and then watched it at home for this, and I was like, eh, it's not that good.
00:57:41.280 -->
00:57:43.440So yeah.
00:57:44.079 -->
00:57:49.440Anyways, any any final thoughts on drag me to hell?
00:57:51.679 -->
00:57:53.119Justin Long.
00:57:54.480 -->
00:57:55.119That's it.
00:57:55.280 -->
00:57:58.639I just wanted to call out Justin Long and his commitment to the horrors on.
00:57:59.199 -->
00:57:59.599Thank you.
00:57:59.840 -->
00:58:00.400Yeah.
00:58:00.639 -->
00:58:01.119Ugh.
00:58:01.280 -->
00:58:03.840I'm always so happy to see him in a horror movie.
00:58:04.000 -->
00:58:08.000I know when he pops up, you're like, oh yay! Yay! It's one of those.
00:58:08.159 -->
00:58:10.159Yeah, that's so true.
00:58:11.679 -->
00:58:13.360Where did I watch this?
00:58:13.679 -->
00:58:14.880It's on Peacock.
00:58:14.960 -->
00:58:15.679That's where I watched it.
00:58:16.000 -->
00:58:18.880Okay, yeah, you guys can stream it on Peacock.
00:58:19.039 -->
00:58:26.480Yeah, I'm sure there will be repertory screenings of it this season and definitely at your local video store.
00:58:26.559 -->
00:58:27.440They probably have it.
00:58:27.599 -->
00:58:28.639So check it out.
00:58:28.800 -->
00:58:42.639Let us know if this is a thumbs up or meh or thumbs down for you because yeah, I feel like this is one of those that has very mixed reviews, but it's always fun to hear what people love and what people don't love about it.
00:58:42.800 -->
00:58:45.280So let us know.
00:58:45.519 -->
00:58:55.760But we're gonna take a quick break, and during that break, you're gonna hear from LADFF director and gimme three producer Sonia Maru for an edition that we call Sonia's Movie Minute.
00:58:55.920 -->
00:58:57.119We'll be right back.
00:59:03.760 -->
00:59:06.559Hello, I'm Sonia, and this is my movie minute.
00:59:06.960 -->
00:59:12.960I just saw my most anticipated movie of the year, Alejandro Igneritu's Digger.
00:59:13.280 -->
00:59:20.079Apparently, it was not everybody else's most anticipated movie of the year because it disappointed at the box office.
00:59:20.320 -->
00:59:22.159But it didn't disappoint me.
00:59:23.039 -->
00:59:27.199I would describe it as a dystopian and profound bird man.
00:59:27.679 -->
00:59:34.960Or our friend Man Kisses described it as Doctor Strange Love meets Senectity New York, meets behind the green door.
00:59:35.599 -->
00:59:43.280The film is funny, absurdist, tragic, and it doesn't shy away from any of the most important issues of our time or the future.
00:59:43.519 -->
00:59:46.800In fact, it leans into them pretty fucking hard.
00:59:47.199 -->
00:59:56.400Tom gives one of his best performances ever, the cinematography is gorgeously twisted, and the production design is impeccably disturbed.
00:59:56.559 -->
01:00:01.920So this is my PSA Don't Listen to anyone but me, and go see Digger.
01:00:20.400 -->
01:00:30.559We've talked about the go-to curse horror flick with Gore Verbinski's The Ring and our listener's pick with Sam Raimi's cult classic Drag Me to Hell.
01:00:30.800 -->
01:00:35.519And now Jess is going to introduce our third and final film of the day.
01:00:35.760 -->
01:00:37.039Take it away, Jess.
01:00:37.360 -->
01:00:51.280When Nobuhiko Obayashi decided to make a film like the ones he admired coming from America, he pulled inspiration from distinctly Japanese roots in his experience with World War II, the loss of war, and atomic warfare.
01:00:51.519 -->
01:01:02.719Having lost his childhood friends due to the bombing in Hiroshima, he knew he wanted to have a film pull from this while also having a clear antagonist that could come for you, like the Shark and Jaws.
01:01:03.280 -->
01:01:15.280After a conversation with his 10-year-old daughter, they both realized that the force coming for you could be something as mundane, seemingly mundane, as your own reflection in the mirror.
01:01:15.519 -->
01:01:26.159Not only does this quote unquote big bad have so much psychology to mine, which the film definitely digs into, it's also scary and visually trippy to boot.
01:01:26.400 -->
01:01:37.199The emotional core and the pain that exists within The Curse of the House grounds this wild roller coaster of a film and leaves you thinking about it for years to come.
01:01:37.440 -->
01:01:39.519But it is really, really out there and quite wild.
01:01:39.599 -->
01:01:41.119I'm not forgetting that at all.
01:01:41.440 -->
01:01:49.440But the film that we're referencing is Hausu, which was released to audiences in 1977.
01:01:49.679 -->
01:01:53.440And Bella, I believe this was the first time you had seen this film, correct?
01:01:53.679 -->
01:01:54.320Yes.
01:01:54.639 -->
01:01:56.000Oh my goodness.
01:01:56.320 -->
01:01:58.320The first time, and it was wild.
01:01:58.480 -->
01:02:03.039I I wrote down at one point one of the girls in this film named Prof.
01:02:03.360 -->
01:02:07.599says it's unscientific, unexplainable, unnatural, unreasonable.
01:02:07.760 -->
01:02:08.960It doesn't make sense.
01:02:09.119 -->
01:02:13.679And I thought that was a perfect description of this film.
01:02:13.920 -->
01:02:20.320And also why the only way I think I could ever describe it is honestly pure magic.
01:02:21.039 -->
01:02:24.880It is, it's a wild, weird movie.
01:02:25.039 -->
01:02:37.119Like it starts as almost, it feels like a 1970s, like made-for-TV like movie, with like it's or it's like a teen summer movie.
01:02:37.280 -->
01:02:39.760You're like, oh, we're teens and we're hanging out.
01:02:40.159 -->
01:02:43.039We're gonna go to the beach or like at someone's house.
01:02:43.199 -->
01:02:51.119It's like it's so this weird, like light, whimsical, like very saccharine tone.
01:02:51.360 -->
01:02:55.039And then it just takes a hard left.
01:02:55.760 -->
01:02:57.280Really very hard.
01:02:57.599 -->
01:03:06.719As soon as like you get to the watermelon scene, and it's funny because again, my partner had not seen this, and so you know, there was a lot of education with this episode.
01:03:07.119 -->
01:03:09.360Yeah, wow, that's amazing.
01:03:10.320 -->
01:03:11.039I love it.
01:03:11.119 -->
01:03:13.039That's what the podcast is for.
01:03:13.360 -->
01:03:14.159Exactly.
01:03:14.480 -->
01:03:16.960But my mom had seen this with me.
01:03:17.840 -->
01:03:25.440I made my mom watch this over like the height of the pandemic when everything was locked down, and I had forgotten that I did that.
01:03:25.840 -->
01:03:33.199And so I was telling my mom about prepping for this episode, and I was like, Oh yeah, and I have to watch House Su, which you haven't seen.
01:03:33.360 -->
01:03:36.000And she was like, I've seen it, Jessica.
01:03:36.320 -->
01:03:39.599You made me watch it, and I was like, Oh yeah, I did.
01:03:39.760 -->
01:03:41.360She was like, Yeah, the watermelon.
01:03:41.519 -->
01:03:47.599And I was like, That was the first thing, and like the the height of what she remembered.
01:03:47.760 -->
01:04:17.280Oh my god, so it's like that really I think it's it's an iconic scene, but it's also it's indicative of like such a tonal shift, yes, that I think it really sticks with you, where it's just like la la la la la summer break, you know, whatever, and then all of a sudden it's just like, oh, there's a head in the well, and then it flies around and then chums her butt, and then she's just like shoves it back in the well.
01:04:18.639 -->
01:04:21.760So yeah, you're like, oh, oh, okay.
01:04:22.079 -->
01:04:24.880New new new thing going on here.
01:04:25.519 -->
01:04:27.760Yes, so it is like a dramatic departure.
01:04:27.840 -->
01:04:41.039And one thing that like I wanna really drive home for everybody listening is that the director talking to his daughter and kind of getting the impetus for the film, it didn't stop there.
01:04:41.119 -->
01:04:50.960Like he asked her about like all of her fears and nightmares and all that kind of stuff, and it's like all of her fears and nightmares are like in the film.
01:04:51.440 -->
01:04:54.960So that's she was afraid of the futons.
01:04:55.360 -->
01:05:01.280Oh my god, like because see, that makes sense because that really comes out of note.
01:05:01.519 -->
01:05:04.000Like, I was like, how does one comes out of nowhere?
01:05:04.159 -->
01:05:13.039And it's like she was afraid of the futons when she was little because they were heavy, and when she had to get them off the shelf, they would fall on her and like crush her.
01:05:13.519 -->
01:05:17.519Oh, yeah, and so that was something she was afraid of, and he was like, Let's put it in.
01:05:17.679 -->
01:05:21.199And then futons attacking a little girl.
01:05:21.599 -->
01:05:28.639She thought, like, when she had to go to her grandparents' house and get the the watermelon out of the well, she was like, What if it was a head?
01:05:28.880 -->
01:05:31.360Like, this was like all of like her stuff.
01:05:31.519 -->
01:05:39.119Oh, that's so cool that he like put into the script, and she has like a story credit on the film.
01:05:39.360 -->
01:05:40.400Oh, that's so sweet.
01:05:40.559 -->
01:05:45.199And so she was like a teen, like, you know, by the time they like went into production, she was in her early teens.
01:05:45.360 -->
01:05:45.760Yeah.
01:05:46.000 -->
01:05:47.840So yeah, it was just like his daughter.
01:05:49.519 -->
01:05:49.840Right?
01:05:49.920 -->
01:05:51.519It was like this family affair.
01:05:51.679 -->
01:05:59.360And um one of the things that I didn't know that like was really inspirational for me was the story of this film.
01:05:59.440 -->
01:06:05.199Cause like I'd seen it many times, but I didn't know the the history of like actually getting it made.
01:06:05.760 -->
01:06:11.119Um the writer director he co-wrote.
01:06:11.280 -->
01:06:26.400I I should give credit to you know the fact that he wrote this with someone else, but he had this idea for this movie, and they came up with it, came up with the treatment, and he went to this production company called Toho and he took it to them.
01:06:26.559 -->
01:06:32.320They were like, oh my god, we love this, but no one's gonna make this movie because it's so weird.
01:06:33.039 -->
01:06:41.440They were like none of the directors that we have on our in our, you know, what's the word that we represent or that we work with.
01:06:41.840 -->
01:06:45.440No one's gonna touch this, nobody wants it, but we love it.
01:06:45.679 -->
01:06:46.320Yeah.
01:06:46.800 -->
01:06:50.000And so he was like, okay, great.
01:06:50.159 -->
01:06:54.480Because at the time he was just the writer, he he wasn't even thinking about directing it.
01:06:54.719 -->
01:06:55.599Oh, wow.
01:06:55.920 -->
01:07:03.840He made business cards with the the image that he created for like the house with the tongue sticking out.
01:07:04.000 -->
01:07:04.639Oh, yeah.
01:07:04.719 -->
01:07:09.280Um, and he put on the business cards, Toho is gonna make this film.
01:07:10.000 -->
01:07:27.840No, and he just went and started like giving them out to people, and he created like an audio drama, he created the he got the soundtrack for the film made, he did all this press for it for two years.
01:07:28.079 -->
01:07:38.320Oh my god, he did all of this stuff to basically create an audience for the film that would put pressure on the production company to actually make it.
01:07:38.719 -->
01:07:39.599So smart.
01:07:40.320 -->
01:07:48.000So it's kind of like we have that happening today, and we're like, oh god, yeah, this is you know, back in the old days they didn't have this.
01:07:48.079 -->
01:07:49.599It's like, no, this guy was doing it.
01:07:49.679 -->
01:07:52.559He was like, I'm gonna go, I'm gonna drum up, build my audience.
01:07:52.719 -->
01:08:00.480He was doing that crowdsourcing of like, you know, like getting people involved and having them demand to do this.
01:08:00.800 -->
01:08:03.840Like, I think at one point he did like a fashion show.
01:08:04.559 -->
01:08:06.320Oh my god, that's amazing.
01:08:06.559 -->
01:08:10.159With like seven girls, and he was like, Yeah, the seven girls of house.
01:08:10.320 -->
01:08:13.840Like, he just wouldn't let it die.
01:08:14.159 -->
01:08:18.720And it got to the point where the production company couldn't ignore it anymore, and then they're like, Yeah, I guess we'll make it.
01:08:19.199 -->
01:08:20.319We're doing it now, yeah.
01:08:20.399 -->
01:08:21.119We have to.
01:08:21.359 -->
01:08:22.960And they're like, Do you want to direct it?
01:08:23.119 -->
01:08:25.279And he's just like, Yeah, why not?
01:08:28.159 -->
01:08:29.520That is amazing.
01:08:29.760 -->
01:08:30.239Oh my god.
01:08:30.479 -->
01:08:32.239And so this was like his directorial debut.
01:08:32.319 -->
01:08:37.119He had done like short films, but this was his like feature, and he didn't even want to do this as his feature.
01:08:37.199 -->
01:08:41.680He had a different one that he wanted to make for his feature, but he was just like, Well, I guess we're doing this one.
01:08:41.920 -->
01:08:43.279Okay, that's amazing.
01:08:43.439 -->
01:08:45.439That makes me love it even more.
01:08:45.840 -->
01:08:46.319Yeah.
01:08:46.640 -->
01:08:48.000Hell of a first feature.
01:08:48.159 -->
01:08:54.079Like, I can, you know, when you've seen this movie, you can understand what the hell did this script look like?
01:08:54.319 -->
01:08:57.199How was anyone going to envision it?
01:08:57.359 -->
01:09:09.199And yeah, I think it's just it's so beautiful that he got to make it happen, like bring it to life, especially like with the fact that like his daughter was involved in it.
01:09:09.439 -->
01:09:18.800And I think I read about how, like, yeah, he had just casted friends and like family, like neighbors as like the boom guy and stuff like that.
01:09:18.880 -->
01:09:24.239Like, it was very much just like we're gonna have fun, and that's what it feels like.
01:09:24.399 -->
01:09:49.119Like, it is it's so much fun, but at the same time, like you were talking about there are so many like underlying themes of you know, the scars of war, and and so even though you have all of this like magic and fun, there is something deeper there and something really emotional and devastating.
01:09:49.439 -->
01:09:59.439But it's yeah, just the way that he like wove all of that together in something that's so bizarre is is so fascinating.
01:09:59.520 -->
01:10:02.479Like, I immediately wanted to watch it again after I watched it.
01:10:02.560 -->
01:10:09.279I actually watched it, I just had it on the other day again, and Jonathan was like, Is this isn't this the weird movie that you watched the other day?
01:10:09.520 -->
01:10:10.880And I was like, Yes.
01:10:13.439 -->
01:10:15.680And I'm gonna watch it again.
01:10:16.319 -->
01:10:33.760It just does like, I mean, for me with this film, I think it's one of the most stylistically inspirational films that I've seen in my life because in all of my own work, there are visuals from this film that are like in all of my decks.
01:10:33.920 -->
01:10:34.640Like I love it.
01:10:34.960 -->
01:10:42.319Any kind of in any kind of deck that I'm doing to like or look book to convey kind of what I'm looking for.
01:10:43.119 -->
01:10:50.560It at some point in this movie, there's a visual that connects and also and like corresponds to what I'm thinking of.
01:10:50.800 -->
01:11:00.159Cause it's just like so gorgeous, and it's also so inventive and colorful, and just like it's just crazy.
01:11:00.319 -->
01:11:04.000It's just like it's it is gorgeous and crazy.
01:11:04.159 -->
01:11:08.000Those are like literally the two per like it's the perfect combo of both.
01:11:08.159 -->
01:11:20.319Cause you're like, you almost wouldn't expect it to be beautiful because you're like, this is kind of haphazard in a good way, like and very handmade and like DIY kind of feel.
01:11:21.119 -->
01:11:27.439And but yeah, I literally wrote in my notes, like, I want to frame every frame of this movie in my house.
01:11:27.600 -->
01:11:31.520Like, I just want, yeah, like I want a house made of house.
01:11:31.920 -->
01:11:40.800It's so there, you just like if you could pause each frame, you'd be like, oh my god, this is this is just amazing to look at as a whole.
01:11:41.119 -->
01:12:05.600And like also just I the the way that it's like this dream-like logic that like informs the world, where like the scene where gorgeous, for all of our listeners, all the the seven girls all have names that I guess are just define their whole personality.
01:12:05.840 -->
01:12:14.640Um so there's like gorgeous, fantasy, prof, who's the smart one, Melody, who likes music.
01:12:15.119 -->
01:12:22.560Like they just have like one there's Sweet, who's really sweet, Mac, who likes to eat food.
01:12:22.640 -->
01:12:23.760How dare she?
01:12:24.399 -->
01:12:53.760But yeah, so like Gorgeous is this central figure in the movie, and they're going to Gorgeous's aunt's house because Gorgeous has not seen her aunt for like 10 years, and through the course of the film, you realize that Gorgeous's aunt is dead and is like this spirit that has been holding on to life for a while because she's basically waiting for her beloved, who was her intended like husband.
01:12:54.079 -->
01:13:00.319She was going to marry him, but the war took him and he was drafted, and he just never returned.
01:13:00.560 -->
01:13:18.239And so she never got word if he was killed or not, but she's just waiting, and so she's been like staying alive and holding on, and her spirit has possessed this house, and she's just been waiting for her beloved to come home and stays alive by eating girls.
01:13:18.479 -->
01:13:46.720So when she possesses Gorgeous at one point, it's so beautiful, it's like this dream-like sequence of you see the reflection in the mirror of Gorgeous's aunt, and then you're seeing this like fire burst out through the reflection and overtake gorgeous, and it's so experimental, and like you're like, this is not something that could actually happen.
01:13:46.800 -->
01:13:48.159She's not actually on fire.
01:13:48.319 -->
01:13:51.279It's very just like, but like art, but you get it.
01:13:51.520 -->
01:13:52.399Yeah, yeah.
01:13:52.560 -->
01:13:55.840It's like it's this is a movie.
01:13:55.920 -->
01:14:06.079Like, I've actually I've been so excited to talk about it, but also nervous because I almost can't really articulate like how I want to describe this movie, especially in like podcast format.
01:14:06.159 -->
01:14:08.239It's like, okay, I'm just trying to explain to you guys.
01:14:08.560 -->
01:14:12.319You're just trying to wrap your head around like and conveying it to another person, yes.
01:14:12.479 -->
01:14:13.119Yes, exactly.
01:14:13.199 -->
01:14:17.600And I'm still processing it myself, having only watched it once and very recently.
01:14:17.760 -->
01:14:45.359But that scene is such a great example where yeah, the effects are so it's almost like a perfect crossbreed of animation in a little bit where it's like this could have just been an animated movie, like very easily, and it would have been very easy to follow and seamless, and like no one could ever criticize, oh, that looks kind of silly.
01:14:45.680 -->
01:14:53.039But you know, it was a choice to make it live action and have all these, like, oh, you know what?
01:14:53.119 -->
01:15:01.359The style reminds me a lot of what is it, uh, Vera Chitilova's Daisies, which is like one of my favorite movies ever.
01:15:01.600 -->
01:15:22.000And they have very similar crossover in like the style where it's like lots of overlaying, like layers, but then also they do this effect where they almost like take scissors to the film itself, it looks like, and like chop it up and layer that, and it's just oh, it's so cool.
01:15:22.159 -->
01:15:26.880It's so it looks so good, even if it's like it's like it's all intentional, you know.
01:15:26.960 -->
01:15:32.560Like it's not I'm not convinced that this person, I'm like, oh my no, I'm not, I'm not like, oh my god, how did they do that?
01:15:32.720 -->
01:15:36.239That looks so real, but that's not the point, which is why it's it's not the point, yeah.
01:15:36.319 -->
01:15:48.399It's like playing with the art, like it's calling attention to the art form of cinema, but it is something of artifice that you can play with, and it's like using that stylistically.
01:15:48.560 -->
01:16:02.800So it's like, hey, we're conveying this possession scene, it doesn't need to be like they could have easily just had like, oh, the ants reflection in the mirror, and their their reflections are together in the mirror, and like they do some kind of overlay or something like that.
01:16:02.960 -->
01:16:05.520Yeah, and that would have conveyed it, but that's not what they were interested in.
01:16:05.680 -->
01:16:15.520They were like, let's play with this and like really have it be like very evocative of the feeling that we want to give, and that's what's exciting everybody.
01:16:15.840 -->
01:16:17.520Yes, exactly.
01:16:17.760 -->
01:16:23.520It is totally just the magic of filmmaking.
01:16:23.920 -->
01:16:28.880Like, and yeah, the magic of of experimenting with filmmaking.
01:16:29.119 -->
01:16:47.920And yeah, it the whole movie is just one whole experiment of like lighting, color, framing, special effects, editing, like jump crazy jump cuts, and like even just like sometimes it's linear, sometimes it's non-linear, and you're like, are we in the same world or time that we were in?
01:16:48.159 -->
01:17:00.960And it's it's kind of just like a puzzle that you have to figure out, but but at the same time, it's more a puzzle that you just as cheesy as it sounds, it's like a puzzle that you kind of just feel and like let it take you on the ride.
01:17:01.199 -->
01:17:07.680Because once you start to be like, wait, but that didn't match this, it's like don't worry about it.
01:17:07.760 -->
01:17:11.840That's not the experience that you're supposed to have with house.
01:17:11.920 -->
01:17:16.479If that's yeah, you just gotta like sit back and let it take you where it's gonna take you.
01:17:16.800 -->
01:17:17.600Yes, yeah.
01:17:17.760 -->
01:17:24.880And you also, it's one of those movies, like when I was trying to prep my partner for it, I was like, I can't explain this movie to you.
01:17:25.439 -->
01:17:32.960There's no way to adequately prepare you for this until you're watching it, and you probably won't know if you're in the mood to watch it until you're watching it.
01:17:33.359 -->
01:17:35.199God, that's so true.
01:17:35.439 -->
01:17:37.039That's so true.
01:17:37.359 -->
01:17:38.560Oh my god.
01:17:39.359 -->
01:17:42.720Like you might start it and go, wait, I don't think I'm ready for this, right?
01:17:42.960 -->
01:17:43.439Yes.
01:17:43.760 -->
01:17:44.399Yes.
01:17:44.960 -->
01:17:51.600I kind of had that because I started it late at night, and I was definitely for me a daytime watch.
01:17:51.760 -->
01:18:01.199Yeah, I was falling asleep, and I was like, I know this is not a reflection on the film, it is just not a sleepy nighttime movie.
01:18:01.359 -->
01:18:02.560You you will fall asleep.
01:18:02.640 -->
01:18:05.279Like you need your faculties about you.
01:18:05.920 -->
01:18:08.399Yes, totally.
01:18:09.600 -->
01:18:10.880Oh my god.
01:18:11.199 -->
01:18:13.119Oh, it's so wonderful.
01:18:13.199 -->
01:18:14.720There's so many great moments.
01:18:15.039 -->
01:18:22.239I have to say, I love the performance by the aunt.
01:18:22.319 -->
01:18:22.960I'm forgetting her.
01:18:23.279 -->
01:18:24.079Oh, I love her.
01:18:24.319 -->
01:18:25.279She's so good.
01:18:25.520 -->
01:18:30.159I get so mad when we don't when she when it's not her time anymore and she possesses gorgeous.
01:18:30.239 -->
01:18:31.520I'm like, no, I want her.
01:18:31.760 -->
01:18:32.159Right?
01:18:32.319 -->
01:18:32.720I know.
01:18:32.800 -->
01:18:35.840She's I also am obsessed with her character design.
01:18:35.920 -->
01:18:52.239She's got this like super sharp cunty bob that's like bleached, and then these just like rose-tinted glasses, and I don't know, just like when you first see her, you're like, oh shit, who is this?
01:18:52.479 -->
01:18:54.640Yes, who is this lady?
01:18:55.199 -->
01:19:00.880And she's so elegant, but she's also very much dead, and it's so creepy.
01:19:01.039 -->
01:19:03.600You're like, oh, this is so, this is so creepy.
01:19:03.680 -->
01:19:10.800And I love that all the girls are just like, yeah, whatever, but fantasy the whole time is like, no, everything is fucked.
01:19:10.960 -->
01:19:13.840We're all gonna disappear, we're all gonna die.
01:19:14.000 -->
01:19:18.319And they're like, girl, relax, like it's gonna be fine.
01:19:18.479 -->
01:19:22.720You're just imagining things, you're very imaginative fantasy.
01:19:23.199 -->
01:19:28.159Well, that's like um that's something that I never really like.
01:19:28.239 -->
01:19:34.800I I followed it and like I noticed it, but I never really like fully processed it until watching it with my partner this time.
01:19:34.880 -->
01:19:39.840And my partner was like, is everyone gonna gaslight fantasy because that's her name?
01:19:40.319 -->
01:19:43.520Like after the watermelon scene, and I was like, you know what?
01:19:43.680 -->
01:19:50.560They do, they are gonna gaslight to the very end, to the like beyond reason.
01:19:50.640 -->
01:19:54.479You're just like, guys, please, half of your friends are missing.
01:19:54.720 -->
01:19:56.319Yeah, please.
01:19:56.800 -->
01:19:59.920It's like you started with seven girls, you're down to two.
01:20:00.159 -->
01:20:05.279Yeah, it's not looking good for y'all, it's really not.
01:20:05.840 -->
01:20:07.760Oh my god, it's not looking good.
01:20:08.000 -->
01:20:08.479So funny.
01:20:08.640 -->
01:20:16.640Yeah, I mean, and everyone finds, you know, meets their maker in in in very strange and entertaining ways.
01:20:16.880 -->
01:20:17.119Yes.
01:20:17.359 -->
01:20:18.239Oh my god.
01:20:18.479 -->
01:20:35.279I think my the most ridiculous one, and the one I always forget about until it happens, is they have this really weird problematic fixation on their teacher who looks old anyway, and he's gonna come spend the break with them.
01:20:36.720 -->
01:20:47.520Yeah, not good, not good, really weird, and fantasy like is in love with him, so yeah, yeah, it didn't age well, but oh no, but Mr.
01:20:47.680 -->
01:21:21.119Togo is his name, and you keep like seeing him on his way trying to get to this house, and it's just like these weird little inserts of him, like his little road trip, yeah, and then he finally gets right by the house, and then the weird watermelon guy is like, watermelons, and then like Togo's like, Oh, bananas, and he's talking about bananas, and he looks really scared and gets in his car, and you're like, Why what is happening?
01:21:21.359 -->
01:21:40.079And then at the very end, Gorgeous's soon-to-be mom is like coming to to get gorgeous from her aunt's house, and there's just a pile of bananas in Toby's car, and you're like, Wait, he turned into bananas?
01:21:40.640 -->
01:21:43.760Because it's got his little hat on top, yeah.
01:21:44.000 -->
01:21:47.680And you're just like, Why am I surprised at this point?
01:21:47.920 -->
01:21:48.640I know, right?
01:21:48.800 -->
01:21:53.199We shouldn't be, and yeah, it is like, oh, oh, so that's what happened.
01:21:53.359 -->
01:21:55.680What you're like, how did he turn into bananas?
01:21:55.760 -->
01:21:58.720And then you're like, Well, I I shouldn't question it.
01:21:59.119 -->
01:22:01.119Shouldn't be asking questions at this point.
01:22:01.600 -->
01:22:03.119Just accept that he's now banana.
01:22:03.439 -->
01:22:05.279That is such an absurd death.
01:22:06.239 -->
01:22:07.520It's like, okay.
01:22:08.000 -->
01:22:17.680My favorite is the most obvious, which is Melody getting eaten by the piano, starting with her little fingers, and then piece by piece.
01:22:18.000 -->
01:22:20.159And it's just so funny.
01:22:20.239 -->
01:22:23.359You're like, oh my god, this is I mean, it is like disturbing.
01:22:23.439 -->
01:22:25.199It's just like limbs, yeah.
01:22:25.359 -->
01:22:35.279And then like her hands are like caught in the strings underneath the top, and you're like, oh god, but and she gets like dismembered, fully dismembered, yeah, yeah.
01:22:35.520 -->
01:22:39.359And it's but it's also really funny the way they do it.
01:22:39.600 -->
01:22:40.159It is.
01:22:41.039 -->
01:22:44.000Uh, it's so it is the dichotomy of this movie.
01:22:44.159 -->
01:22:48.000It's just it's like, oh, this is kind of horrific.
01:22:48.720 -->
01:23:06.079Like, also, one of my favorite images in this movie is when they show the picture of the cat on the wall, and it's just getting scarier and scarier as things are develop or devolving, and then all of a sudden its mouth is open and blood is spewing out, and you're just like, What?
01:23:06.560 -->
01:23:09.520This is legitimately unhinged.
01:23:09.600 -->
01:23:13.119But I love that image of just this crazy looking cat with blood.
01:23:13.840 -->
01:23:15.359It's horrifying, yeah.
01:23:15.520 -->
01:23:21.119It's like a bad trip where it's like you're looking at that thing that just starts getting freakier and freakier.
01:23:21.600 -->
01:23:22.399It's so great.
01:23:22.479 -->
01:23:26.319And I also I'm a sucker for just like overwhelming blood.
01:23:26.399 -->
01:23:26.560Yeah.
01:23:26.720 -->
01:23:35.840And so my partner always makes fun of that when there's a scene in a movie where it's like blood everywhere, they'll turn to me and be like, is this your favorite scene?
01:23:36.000 -->
01:23:36.960And I'm like, shut up.
01:23:38.720 -->
01:23:40.239Because I just I don't know what it is.
01:23:40.319 -->
01:23:46.239If it's done right, like just like waves of blood is really affecting to me.
01:23:46.479 -->
01:23:56.800Oh, so you love one of my favorite scenes when the house is flooded with blood, yes, yes, and they're sailing down the river of blood through the house.
01:23:56.960 -->
01:23:58.479Yes, it's so awesome.
01:23:58.560 -->
01:24:00.000I I get it, I get it.
01:24:00.159 -->
01:24:06.159It's that oh my god, it's so awesome too, because it's all executed practically.
01:24:06.239 -->
01:24:10.399So it's just like this is real, this is real, and it looks so cool.
01:24:10.640 -->
01:24:19.760It looks so cool, it looks so good, and then you know, fantasy like goes to gorgeous, and you know, it looks like, oh, is fantasy gonna be okay?
01:24:19.920 -->
01:24:26.319You know she's not, but and then my partner was like, Oh, is this just their their gay origin story?
01:24:26.960 -->
01:24:33.920And I was like, it could be, but could be I would like that movie, I but that would be a great part too.
01:24:34.319 -->
01:24:35.920It would be a great part too.
01:24:36.640 -->
01:24:44.239Maybe a girl can like we never see fantasy no dispatched, yeah.
01:24:44.399 -->
01:24:45.600That's so true.
01:24:45.920 -->
01:24:47.920Maybe they just live there together now.
01:24:48.159 -->
01:24:49.920Maybe gorgeous and fantasy just live there.
01:24:50.239 -->
01:24:58.560Happily consume other girls that come there, they just continue living the cycle.
01:24:58.800 -->
01:25:01.119Wow, that would be so beautiful.
01:25:01.520 -->
01:25:02.720Wow, it would.
01:25:02.880 -->
01:25:10.239I I do think that gorgeous's stepmom, soon to be stepmom, because they're not married yet.
01:25:10.479 -->
01:25:12.800Oh, yeah, yeah, no, she's definitely done.
01:25:13.039 -->
01:25:14.640Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
01:25:14.800 -->
01:25:15.600Yeah, absolutely.
01:25:15.920 -->
01:25:18.000With the wind that follows her everywhere.
01:25:18.239 -->
01:25:20.560Oh my god, it's such a funny bit.
01:25:20.800 -->
01:25:22.159It's so hysterical.
01:25:22.319 -->
01:25:23.520It's so funny.
01:25:23.680 -->
01:25:25.279I I yeah, I have that in my notes.
01:25:25.359 -->
01:25:27.199I'm like, oh my god, this is the best.
01:25:27.359 -->
01:25:29.039Just like out of nowhere.
01:25:29.359 -->
01:25:41.359No matter where she is, and even like I think in one of the last shots of the film, it's literally like Gorgeous's aunt in Gorgeous's body, like sitting across from I believe the character's name is Ryoko.
01:25:41.680 -->
01:26:00.159Yes, and they're in the same room, and gorgeous gorgeous's body looks like is just existing in a normal room, but Ryoko, everything is moving on her, and the wind is still surrounding her, and you're just like, what is happening?
01:26:00.399 -->
01:26:01.680It's so good.
01:26:02.079 -->
01:26:05.039She just looks like she's constantly in like a perfume ad.
01:26:05.279 -->
01:26:06.479Yes, absolutely.
01:26:06.720 -->
01:26:08.880You're just like, oh, this bitch.
01:26:11.520 -->
01:26:14.399Everything is pleasant in Ryoko's life.
01:26:14.640 -->
01:26:18.000She always looks good, the wind's always blowing the right way.
01:26:18.479 -->
01:26:21.760I mean, the actress is gorgeous, she's like a beautiful, beautiful woman.
01:26:22.560 -->
01:26:23.439Yeah, yeah.
01:26:23.680 -->
01:26:24.159Oh my god.
01:26:24.399 -->
01:26:25.840Her hair is always perfect.
01:26:26.000 -->
01:26:27.520Yeah, she's pristine.
01:26:27.760 -->
01:26:30.640She has like a scarf flying behind her.
01:26:31.520 -->
01:26:33.199Oh, I love it.
01:26:33.359 -->
01:26:34.159I love it so much.
01:26:34.319 -->
01:26:38.239This is such a like you have to see it to believe it kind of movie.
01:26:38.399 -->
01:26:47.760Like, I feel like as much as we can describe these scenes when you watch it, you'll be like, this is not what I expected at all.
01:26:48.720 -->
01:26:54.479And I will say, like, you know, because I love this movie, I don't want anyone to think I'm biased, but I am.
01:26:54.800 -->
01:27:03.119But like, I think this is my favorite type of curse out of the ones that we've had this episode, because this is like the evolving curse.
01:27:03.199 -->
01:27:20.399This is something where it's like the pain, it's like the it's a curse that comes to be through an evolution of the like echoes of pain and the scars of these deep emotions that's like held in a place by a person.
01:27:21.199 -->
01:27:33.359Like that kind of that resonates with me because I think there are like places in the world, like it's that that phenomenon of like when you go to a place and you get that like weird feeling.
01:27:33.600 -->
01:27:34.479Yeah, totally.
01:27:34.720 -->
01:27:40.960Where you're just like there, it's like a psychic energy scar of like something really terrible happened here.
01:27:41.199 -->
01:28:15.039Like when it comes to like ghosts and stuff, I'm I'm kind of like agnostic, but I do believe in that kind of energy thing where there's certain places you go and you're just like you you feel weird and you get the creeps, you feel that something happened here, and so it's like yeah, I really like for how so it's kind of playing on that where it's Like the pain that this woman felt was so monumental, and like she scarred this house that like her pain allowed her to, you know, basically possess this house.
01:28:15.279 -->
01:28:15.520Yeah.
01:28:15.600 -->
01:28:31.520Um, and it's this curse has evolved just from her feeling these feelings and this this this like grieving for a life that she lost that she saw her sister being able to get married and have a family, and she never got any of that.
01:28:31.840 -->
01:28:34.000It's so it's so sad.
01:28:34.399 -->
01:28:37.039Like it's it is such a devastating.
01:28:38.000 -->
01:28:40.399It's it's it's such a tragedy, really.
01:28:40.560 -->
01:28:48.720And and like tragedy in the sense of like a love story too, like grief, and there's like moments of like a love story.
01:28:49.520 -->
01:29:14.720Yeah, similar to what I was saying at the beginning of like underneath like the magic is kind of a facade of like what's actually there, and what's actually there is this cursed space, this cursed house that then, yeah, just kind of like the cycle continues of it never goes there, and it's so oh yeah, it is oh my god, it's so good.
01:29:14.800 -->
01:29:15.680I loved this movie.
01:29:15.760 -->
01:29:19.119I already want to rewatch it now that we're talking about it again, too.
01:29:19.840 -->
01:29:31.680One of my favorite, like I always forget it until I watch it, but I think one of my favorite things that they do stylistically is when they do show the flashback, like of this backstory of Gorgeous's aunt.
01:29:31.840 -->
01:29:39.199Yes, and then the girls are commenting on it, like mystery science theater, and I'm just like, that's so cool.
01:29:39.359 -->
01:29:44.720Cause they're like, it's like they're watching this footage and they're just like, oh, he's so handsome.
01:29:44.960 -->
01:29:47.199And you're just like, it's so cool.
01:29:47.359 -->
01:29:47.920I love it.
01:29:48.079 -->
01:29:50.720I love that they're not they're not precious with anything.
01:29:51.039 -->
01:29:51.840Yeah, yeah.
01:29:52.079 -->
01:29:54.960No, it's oh, I love that you shouted that scene out.
01:29:55.039 -->
01:30:02.960Cause yeah, that's where I feel like that was one of the moments where I was like, okay, this movie is doing something that I've literally never seen before.
01:30:03.279 -->
01:30:03.600Right.
01:30:03.760 -->
01:30:07.680And I'm so excited to see where, like, if this is because it happens at the beginning.
01:30:07.760 -->
01:30:15.520So you're like, if this is just the beginning, whatever I'm about to get, whatever is following this is going to be life-changing.
01:30:18.079 -->
01:30:19.920Not to be dramatic.
01:30:21.039 -->
01:30:24.319Man, yeah, it's it's fantastic.
01:30:24.479 -->
01:30:33.600I'm I'm looking through my notes to see what else I have to say, but I feel like we've covered all the the main points.
01:30:34.960 -->
01:30:39.119Ashley did want me to highlight the sexualization of teenage girls.
01:30:39.279 -->
01:30:42.000Oh, yes, yeah, because it it was a bit shocking.
01:30:42.079 -->
01:30:44.880I didn't not, I I did not see that coming.
01:30:45.039 -->
01:30:50.720They yeah, they're supposed to be like these teenage girls, and then they're just like a lot of them are naked.
01:30:51.039 -->
01:30:51.359Yeah.
01:30:51.840 -->
01:30:52.159Yeah.
01:30:52.399 -->
01:30:54.239And so for no apparent reason.
01:30:54.560 -->
01:30:55.359For no real reason.
01:30:55.680 -->
01:30:59.119And so Ashley was just like, I don't know how I feel about this.
01:30:59.279 -->
01:31:01.520And I was like, yeah, it is kind of problematic.
01:31:01.600 -->
01:31:21.039I mean, yeah, it was I'm not saying like, oh, it was a different time, but it is like the 70s, and it is within the horror genre, and there are expectations and tropes in the horror genre of like it's like what it what is it?
01:31:21.119 -->
01:31:35.359Like basically like skin and scares, you know, where it's blood and sex are kind of the horror genre expectations in a lot of ways, and a lot of movies.
01:31:36.079 -->
01:31:41.920Like, you know, the movie that just came out, you know, Teenage Sex and Death at Can't Miasma.
01:31:42.000 -->
01:31:43.439I mean, that's literally it's the title.
01:31:44.399 -->
01:31:53.520So it's like there's a certain expectation, and so this film kind of plays into those expectations, but it is weird in like watching it now.
01:31:53.600 -->
01:31:55.840It is like these are teenage girls.
01:31:55.920 -->
01:31:57.600I feel like we I don't know.
01:31:57.680 -->
01:32:02.479There's it'll make you feel a type of way, you'll you'll feel pretty kind of weird watching it, yeah, yeah.
01:32:02.640 -->
01:32:07.920Yeah, so I there's also like an upskirt moment with the futons, yeah, yeah.
01:32:08.159 -->
01:32:26.560With like a seating floor that's kind of cool at the beginning of the so it's like it is a really cool shot, but then in that context, but then when she gets over the camera and she's like you're seeing up her skirt, you're like, could could you have used like a different shot where we weren't directly underneath her?
01:32:26.880 -->
01:32:28.239Yes, that's so true.
01:32:28.399 -->
01:32:29.119Oh my god.
01:32:29.279 -->
01:32:40.800Yeah, there are some moments, and it's good to note because yeah, it is it's just it's it is a bit like, oh, okay, I was not prepared to see this, and it does make you feel strange.
01:32:41.039 -->
01:32:48.640But I think, yeah, you made excellent points of the expectations of the genre, specifically in the 70s.
01:32:48.800 -->
01:32:55.199Oh my god, and honestly, carrying on all through the 80s and 90s in US American movies.
01:32:55.520 -->
01:33:00.000I'm not excusing it, I'm just talking about history, but we can explain it, yeah.
01:33:00.079 -->
01:33:06.880History, exactly, and we can learn from the past so that we don't perpetuate those things in the future.
01:33:07.279 -->
01:33:13.840Exactly, but we can bring back the 80s guys and crop tops.
01:33:14.239 -->
01:33:16.319Oh, yeah, absolutely.
01:33:16.640 -->
01:33:17.439I missed that.
01:33:17.600 -->
01:33:20.399It never should have gone away, it should never have gone away.
01:33:20.640 -->
01:33:23.760Yeah, yeah, that was that was silly.
01:33:24.800 -->
01:33:27.279Bring back 80s guys and crop tops.
01:33:27.760 -->
01:33:30.479That is the whole message of this episode.
01:33:30.800 -->
01:33:32.399That makes me think of adults.
01:33:32.560 -->
01:33:34.399That episode where they're all wearing crop tops.
01:33:34.640 -->
01:33:36.319I need to watch the new season.
01:33:36.640 -->
01:33:40.479I know I was not interested in watching it, and then I fell for the marketing.
01:33:40.560 -->
01:33:41.840I was like, oh, this might be funny.
01:33:41.920 -->
01:33:44.640And then Ashley and I binged both seasons.
01:33:44.880 -->
01:33:45.840It's so easy.
01:33:45.920 -->
01:33:49.359I haven't watched the new season, but I know I'll probably finish it in like a day.
01:33:49.520 -->
01:33:51.760But yeah, I it's so good.
01:33:52.000 -->
01:33:52.800It's so good.
01:33:52.880 -->
01:33:55.199Yeah, it's such an easy watch, too.
01:33:55.279 -->
01:33:56.720Like you just breeze through it.
01:33:56.960 -->
01:33:57.920It's so funny.
01:33:58.079 -->
01:34:00.000That first episode is so good.
01:34:00.239 -->
01:34:00.880It is.
01:34:02.239 -->
01:34:02.800Oh my god.
01:34:03.520 -->
01:34:04.159Anyways, sorry.
01:34:04.319 -->
01:34:07.359Anyway, I got distracted because that is a great fucking show.
01:34:07.520 -->
01:34:08.960And I love Paul Baker.
01:34:09.279 -->
01:34:10.960I fucking love Paul Baker.
01:34:11.119 -->
01:34:14.319Paul Baker! Okay, obsessed with them.
01:34:15.119 -->
01:34:15.920Oh my god.
01:34:16.000 -->
01:34:17.039Oh my god, I'm so excited.
01:34:17.119 -->
01:34:18.720I can't believe I haven't seen the second season.
01:34:18.800 -->
01:34:19.760I'm so excited to watch it.
01:34:20.000 -->
01:34:20.560You're gonna love it.
01:34:20.640 -->
01:34:21.359It's a great time.
01:34:21.439 -->
01:34:25.119Um yay, I'm so relieved because I was like, it's either gonna hit or miss.
01:34:25.359 -->
01:34:28.319No, they they build very, very well on it.
01:34:28.560 -->
01:34:29.840Um it's a great time.
01:34:30.000 -->
01:34:34.159And I'm trying to get a for the film that I'm producing right now, I'm trying to get a skeleton.
01:34:34.960 -->
01:34:40.000But I kind of, since I'm the one getting the skeleton, I want to get it and name it Paul Baker.
01:34:40.239 -->
01:34:42.239Oh my god, you have to.
01:34:42.560 -->
01:34:46.479You have to, and then people will be like, why, Jessica?
01:34:46.640 -->
01:34:52.079I'm like, because it's Paul Baker! It's Paul Baker, he's beloved by many, by all.
01:34:54.640 -->
01:34:56.960Oh my god, that is amazing.
01:34:57.119 -->
01:34:58.000I can't wait for that.
01:34:58.079 -->
01:34:59.840I hope it comes true for you.
01:35:01.199 -->
01:35:04.399Anyway, anyway, we're recording.
01:35:04.720 -->
01:35:05.920Yeah, oh my god.
01:35:07.039 -->
01:35:14.640Okay, well, I guess well, any final thoughts on Hao Su or House?
01:35:15.520 -->
01:35:21.039I think that if you haven't seen it, you should see it.
01:35:21.279 -->
01:35:26.239I will say watching it with others is a fantastic experience.
01:35:26.479 -->
01:35:32.239So if you can get a group together, it's not as necessary as like with the room.
01:35:32.720 -->
01:35:34.560Uh the room.
01:35:35.119 -->
01:35:40.159If you watch that by yourself, you're just gonna be depressed in your apartment asking why you am I watching this.
01:35:40.319 -->
01:35:50.960I am speaking from personal experience because I watched it by myself in my New York apartment, and I was like, I don't think this is how I was supposed to experience this film.
01:35:51.680 -->
01:35:56.800So get get a group together, go see Hausu, especially if there's some repertory.
01:35:56.880 -->
01:35:58.560Like, if you can see it in a theater.
01:35:58.960 -->
01:35:59.680Oh god.
01:35:59.920 -->
01:36:00.640Can you imagine?
01:36:00.800 -->
01:36:02.319Have you seen it on the big screen?
01:36:02.560 -->
01:36:04.560I haven't, but it's on my bucket list.
01:36:04.800 -->
01:36:06.000I would love to.
01:36:06.239 -->
01:36:07.279That would be amazing.
01:36:07.439 -->
01:36:09.359I can't even oh my god, I can only imagine.
01:36:09.439 -->
01:36:15.760Not even just like seeing it on the big screen, but like with a crowd that appreciates it, would be so awesome.
01:36:16.079 -->
01:36:16.720Yeah.
01:36:17.279 -->
01:36:18.399Great shout.
01:36:18.640 -->
01:36:26.319I'm just I forgot to mention, I have one final thought, and that is Kung Fu is my new obsession, and I'm not talking about martial arts.
01:36:26.399 -->
01:36:29.119I'm talking about Kung Fu in the movie.
01:36:29.359 -->
01:36:34.479I'm obsessed with her, she's my favorite character, and if you watch it, you will understand.
01:36:34.640 -->
01:36:37.920So I'm I love how she has her own soundtrack.
01:36:39.119 -->
01:36:40.800It's incredible.
01:36:41.359 -->
01:36:43.359And just like her whole energy.
01:36:43.439 -->
01:36:44.960I'm like, I love her.
01:36:45.199 -->
01:36:46.800She's so badass.
01:36:48.960 -->
01:36:49.840She is.
01:36:50.319 -->
01:36:58.880I mean, she's yeah, she's they they named her Kung Fu for a reason, and she's just like so composed and also just super chill.
01:36:58.960 -->
01:37:01.199She's always like, I'll check it out, I'll see what's going on.
01:37:01.439 -->
01:37:05.600It's like, oh, your friend died, and she's like, Don't worry, I got this.
01:37:07.359 -->
01:37:14.239So may we all bring the energy of Kung Fu with us into situations to make us feel safe and secure.
01:37:14.800 -->
01:37:16.800Safe, secure, empowered, strong.
01:37:16.960 -->
01:37:17.920Yes, yeah.
01:37:18.079 -->
01:37:21.359She's we're we're channeling, we're we're channeling her for this.
01:37:21.520 -->
01:37:23.600So, anyways, check it out.
01:37:23.680 -->
01:37:25.760Yeah, see if it's screening anywhere.
01:37:26.000 -->
01:37:28.399I think I watched this.
01:37:28.560 -->
01:37:29.840Where did I watch this?
01:37:30.079 -->
01:37:31.520Where did you watch this?
01:37:32.159 -->
01:37:34.159I watched it on my Blu-ray spot.
01:37:34.720 -->
01:37:35.680Lucky you.
01:37:35.920 -->
01:37:36.319Lucky you.
01:37:36.560 -->
01:37:38.479But I'm sure it's on the Criterion channel.
01:37:38.640 -->
01:37:39.600It yes, you're right.
01:37:39.680 -->
01:37:43.680It is, and I'm sure they have some awesome, like special features on there as well.
01:37:43.840 -->
01:37:46.239I think I also, it's streaming on Max right now.
01:37:46.399 -->
01:37:48.560So if you have that, you can check it out there.
01:37:48.800 -->
01:37:51.680And let us know what you guys think of House.
01:37:53.119 -->
01:37:54.880Well, man, that's a wrap.
01:37:54.960 -->
01:37:55.840I'm sad it's over.
01:37:56.000 -->
01:37:57.680We have I'm sad it's over too.
01:37:57.920 -->
01:38:05.199Yeah, three amazing, three really fun horror movies to dive into, three deadly curses.
01:38:05.439 -->
01:38:07.760Remind me again, we had your your list.
01:38:07.920 -->
01:38:13.119It was viral the viral curse from the ring.
01:38:13.439 -->
01:38:22.479We had the moral curse from Drag Me to Hell, and then the evolving curse from House of Love it.
01:38:22.640 -->
01:38:24.399We cover it all on here.
01:38:25.600 -->
01:38:40.319Yeah, if you enjoyed this episode and you have other, maybe even like other curse horror movies you'd like us to talk about, like the runner up in the Instagram polls, it follows, or any other, you know, more maybe more underappreciated gems, let us know.
01:38:40.560 -->
01:38:46.479Or if you simply have other themes or movies in mind that you want to hear us talk about, let us know.
01:38:46.640 -->
01:38:52.880You can send us a text with the link in the episode description, or comment on our Instagram account at Gimme3 Podcast.
01:38:53.039 -->
01:38:57.760That's just G-I-Dou-M-E-Spell Out Three Podcast.
01:38:58.000 -->
01:38:59.760We appreciate all your support.
01:38:59.920 -->
01:39:14.880And if you want to show even more support, three quick things that go a long way is one easiest and possibly most important is just to follow our show and even set our episodes to auto-download on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
01:39:14.960 -->
01:39:16.640This really helps boost it.
01:39:16.960 -->
01:39:20.399Two is subscribe to our Patreon for just$5 a month.
01:39:20.560 -->
01:39:26.640We have some bonus content, or you know, subscribe for one month as a little donation to help us keep the mics on.
01:39:26.880 -->
01:39:35.840Three is share our episode with your friends, family, or honestly, whenever you meet someone who loves movies, a quick little plug goes a long way.
01:39:36.479 -->
01:39:41.119Jess, thank you so, so much for joining me on the show today.
01:39:41.359 -->
01:39:44.079It is seriously always a pleasure.
01:39:44.239 -->
01:39:46.000And it was so much fun.
01:39:46.239 -->
01:39:49.359I wish we had all the time in the world.
01:39:49.600 -->
01:39:50.239I know.
01:39:50.640 -->
01:39:51.760Seriously.
01:39:53.359 -->
01:40:00.880I know we could talk about we could we could probably drop like a 10-hour episode with no breaks.
01:40:02.239 -->
01:40:05.359You can actually you can hear that on the Patreon.
01:40:05.600 -->
01:40:12.319No, but before we go, do you want to tell our lovely listeners one where they can find you on the socials?
01:40:12.399 -->
01:40:16.720And also, yeah, if you have any project updates that you want to drop.
01:40:17.119 -->
01:40:18.399Oh, that's a good question.
01:40:18.479 -->
01:40:22.159Uh well, I can be found on You don't have to.
01:40:23.840 -->
01:40:35.520I can be found on the socials at the Ridge M C, which is T-H-E-O-R-I-G-M-C.
01:40:36.159 -->
01:40:43.359And in ways of project updates, I have a short that is in post right now that we're working on.
01:40:43.439 -->
01:40:46.159It's a queer horror short, so that's exciting.
01:40:46.720 -->
01:40:53.119I did most likely won't be hitting festivals until the beginning of next year.
01:40:53.439 -->
01:41:00.079And since it is the I can't believe it's already here, it's the beginning of October in a week.
01:41:00.319 -->
01:41:05.359I should probably be on set for another horror short film that I'm producing.
01:41:05.600 -->
01:41:08.880So um that one will be a lot of fun.
01:41:08.960 -->
01:41:13.119It's a horror comedy written by an amazing screenwriter.
01:41:13.359 -->
01:41:18.239Shout out to Mashielle Alcatani, directed by Frank Maldonado.
01:41:18.560 -->
01:41:24.319And that's something that we'll probably also be you'll hear more about in the new year as well.
01:41:24.479 -->
01:41:27.600So lots of horror fun coming down the pike.
01:41:27.840 -->
01:41:28.560Perfect.
01:41:28.800 -->
01:41:35.039Perfect time of year for it, and honestly, all year round, but you know how I get during spooky season.
01:41:37.279 -->
01:41:43.680Anyways, thank you so much for joining us on the Gimme Three podcast, and we will see you at the movies.
