URHorror Newsletter: July 2024
Hell House LLC is back; Longlegs (2024) Review; Sharksploitation?
Hello all my horror friends and fiends! It’s a new month which means- well probably not what your thinking. As I logged into Substack to prepare this post, I noticed the last two were a month apart from each other. There’s definitely something consistent about that- even if it wasn’t intended XD
Newsletters will be monthly now which will probably be easier for me and your inbox. Maybe it’ll increase your antici-
Summer continues to be the season for horror! Every time I turn around, a new movie is coming out. I saw MAXXXine last week: THE movie of the year. Well… it was supposed to be. Did it live up to my expectations? You can find the full review wherever you get your podcasts. The first half of the episode is spoiler-free for those of you who have been too busy for Ms. Minx 🤨
Horror News
New Hell House LLC 2025
I discovered a little indie horror franchise last fall which has it’s fourth installment released that October. I say it more than enough: I’m not a found footage fan. However, I do have an affliction for clowns. In the end, it’s a film I continue to recommend to people.
The fourth installment, Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor, dropped on Shudder last October and established more context to the occult legends of The Abaddon Hotel. Stephen Cognetti, creator of the franchise, has previously expressed interest in taking the narrative further with higher budgets: including a desire to leave its found footage element in the past. All we know right now is that it’s expected on Shudder October 2025.
Review: LONGLEGS dir. Osgood Perkins
This movie has had me thinking since I saw it. I think it’s the first movie that I’ve considered good on principle alone. Sure, even the technical qualifiers to a good film are subjective. But there’s still some objective truth there.
My expectations definitely got in the way with this one. As you may know, I simply don’t believe in deeming something the “scariest” thing of “all time”. I don’t think there will ever be one. Fear, as all feelings are, is subjective. I’m scared (with much due respect) of spiders: I won’t watch Arachnophobia or any other movie of the category. I’m also scared of space, so a movie like Interstellar is one I avoid the way non-horror fans avoid the genre.
Longlegs is atmospheric, visually stunning, and entrancing. I loved the editing and the score. I didn’t like how the ending left you in the deep end of the narrative. The story was just getting interesting as we reached the middle of Act 3 (yeah, the narrative is divided into acts). There were moments that I wish were a bit more static and allowed us to chew on the scene at hand. I love a movie that offers so many layers to peel back, though. The marketing hooked me, the publicity has reeled me in, and a second watch will probably win me over. And sometimes, that’s all you really need to be able to see a movie from outside of yourself.
It’s Not That Deep…
But it always is… isn’t it? Turns out the perfect cure for anxiety is a good documentary. I took to watching a few that were nominated for this years’ Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. Who knew that turning on Sharksploitation would change my view on sharks. Will I dive into the deep sea for funsies? No. But Jaws really did a number on the reputation that sharks once had.
Jaws was the first movie of its kind. Following 1975 film, production companies were SCRAMBLING to make the next Jaws. It started with sharks at first before extending to piranhas, alligators, and even inanimate objects. I can only suspend my disbelief so much. However, in the midst of the film talk, there were accounts from several marine life conservationists and professionals discussing the impact that these films had on real sharks.
Once released, Jaws created a widespread paranoia surrounding sharks. This began a spree of shark killing from tournaments and hunting for sport. Clearly no one read the book before the movie (I didn’t know Jaws was a book-to-film adaptation). While the original novel may have mentioned the rogue shark theory, Stephen Spielberg decided to use it a plot device. Thus, we’ve believed that sharks are nothing but merciless predators.
That’s a wrap!
I hope I’ve inspired you to watch Sharkploitation or another documentary that may pique your interest. I always feel so big brained after watching one.
Slasher Summer continues next week with… I don’t know yet. But when I do, I’ll let you know. Send your suggestions my way too!