• Nosferatu - The mystery surrounding this one is only adding to the hype.

• Wicked - Good or bad, sure to be essential viewing for anyone discussing pop culture for the next few months.

• Dream Scenario - Have heard this is another modern Nic Cage masterpiece…

• Heretic - Looks intense and creepy.

• Paddington in Peru - Hyped for this because, unironically, Paddington 2 is one of the best movies ever made. Full stop.

• A Real Pain - This is that Jesse Eisenberg / Kieran Culkin movie no one remembers the name of, looks good!

1999 - R - 10/10 - Must see Halloween classic

This movie is a classic for a reason. If you caught our October episode of Scary But Not That Scary, you know that 25 years later we still can’t stop raving about Sleepy Hollow. Tim Burton’s gothic visuals, the eerie fog, and the iconic Headless Horseman perfectly capture the spirit of Halloween. It is so effective in all areas, it raises the bar for what we expect from all other movies. Stylish, mysterious, and full of spooky charm, it blends a classic story with great filmmaking, earning its place atop Burton’s catalog.

2024 - R - 8/10 - If you liked Fury Road at all, See this now

Another one that we chatted about on the podcast and I need to mention here because it was a favorite of mine this year. Like the internet says, this is essentially the Kill Bill, Vol. 2 for Fury Road, bringing some quality action but a lot more of the story to life. Hemsworth is having fun as the unhinged Dementus which helps draw you in for another installment of Miller’s over the top heavy metal wasteland. More rough edges than Fury Road but this was 100% the Fury Road follow up I was hoping for.

2024 - R - 7/10 - Exactly what we hoped, for better or worse

If you have seen the other Deadpool movies, you pretty much know what you are getting yourself into here. The addition of Wolverine definitely doesn’t tame down the Deadpool, it just adds a grumbly Logan to the mix. Ok, let’s face it, you have probably already seen this and know that it was hilarious and mostly great but it would seem odd to have a life-sized Deadpool in the store and not mention this movie! My only concern is whether the jokes will hold up during a rewatch but this was a blast in the theater.

The Substance vs Terrifier 3. This year saw two movies shock audiences and get well-deserved mixed reviews. Which was better?

Stats

The Substance - Mubi - September 19, 2024 - Rated R

Terrifier 3 - Cineverse Corp. - September 19, 2024 - Rated R

The Good

The Substance

The Substance is a crazy, mind-bending rollercoaster through a lot. Mostly emotion as visual metaphor, the movie leaves little to the imagination and more than drives home its main point but does so in a way that feels fresh and exciting. All the manic energy, sleaze, craziness, and body horror of Showgirls, Black Swan, and Society tossed into a blender.

Terrifier 3

The little indy shockfest that could, Terrifier is back for a 3rd installment. Picking up 5 years after part 2, this one sees more lore, more gore, and more… Terrifier than we have seen before. With more budget at his command, Damien Leone is able to go even further with Art and give even more of the stomach-churning, soul-crushing, over-the-top depravity the series is known for.

The Bad

The Substance

There is a sarcastic streak and sensibility that runs through The Substance as it hammers you over the head with its main point. There is no escaping the intensity as the movie continually doubles down on being equal parts sleazy and brutal. Nearly everything in the movie is designed to be an offputting over-the-top version of itself. Some will find this intriguing, some will find it overbearing.

Terrifier 3

Terrifier 2 is too long, Terrifier 3 is shorter but still too long. The movie constantly toggles between bland melodrama and shocking gorefest so often it never finds a rhythm or a purpose and becomes a 2 hour slog to get through. 3 movies in, the parts that are designed to be shocking are shocking but are missing elements that would make this an enjoyable movie instead of an endurance test.

The Verdict

Seeing these movies so close to one another cried out for a comparison. On one hand, in The Substance, we have a film that is pushing your buttons with purpose. Instead of just talking through the emotions, it is using quality filmmaking to force you to experience them: the disgust, self-loathing, the jealousy, the fear of being exposed… it all comes out in a nightmare thrill ride that is as engaging as it is harrowing. On the other hand, we have Terrifier 3, which, as much as I hate to admit it, starts to feel like a kid kicking your chair just to make you squirm. Like The Substance, the discomfort is the intent but here there is no higher purpose. the reaction is the point. 3 movies in, Art needs a new trick. The clear winner to me is The Substance. It is definitely not for everyone but The Substance may be my favorite movie of the year.

Thanks to everyone who came through for Trick or Treating on Main Street before Halloween! We loved seeing the little ones all decked out as their favorite characters and all the reactions to our buddy Screampool. For about 2 straight hours we had a parade through the store as we gave kids the ultimate trick or treating pop quiz: candy from the chocolate bucket or candy from the fruity bucket?

Fortunately, Joe has made a full recovery after his surprise run in with Michael Meyers. If that doesn’t make sense to you, you should check out the Halloween ad on our YouTube channel!