Lewis Black has a great bit about anticipation being the best part of life. His point, is that the moment just prior to whatever you've been waiting for is actually the pinnacle of the entire experience. The rest is just a letdown. This is an absolute truth when it comes to watching horror movies. Seeing whatever it is that is tormenting everyone, can't match the level of intensity in the seconds prior to the big reveal. The best thing about not knowing for sure, is there still the possibility that this could really happen. Things are still realistic.
The Cabin in the Woods fails on the realistic angle almost immediately, which removes damn near all the scares, unfortunately. But, it succeeds on just about every other level. While I enjoyed the characters, the acting, the violence and all the little things, what has stayed with me days later is the concept. Just when I feel that every self-referential and/or ironic angle has been played out, somebody comes along and rejuvenates the genre. Writer Joss Whedon and director Drew Goddard are two such somebodies.
For anyone who hasn't seen the flick yet, you might as well bail here. Oh, and people who like well-written and thoughtful posts, you kids should probably head out, too. I'll hold the door for you.
Sadly, I knew about the observation/lab angle going in. I tried to avoid any prior knowledge, but I inadvertently caught half a preview somewhere. But even knowing that much, still didn't prepare me for the awesomeness. And I'm not really talking about the ultimate ending (honestly, that kind of lost me, despite being cool visually), I'm really focusing on the contents of the program. Rooms and rooms of the worst things imaginable is so f--king badass it makes me want to squeal. Imagine if they could had licensed some of the horror legends, thereby making every horror flick ever true? I would have shit pure delight for at least a week. Maybe two.
With that horrible image resting comfortably in your mind, let's head down to the basement and do something foolish to unearth the Yays and Boos. Don't worry, if they saw you in the shower, killing you is the last thing they'd think of...
Let's see if Lewis Black is right. I'm pretty certain he is.
For anyone who hasn't seen the flick yet, you might as well bail here. Oh, and people who like well-written and thoughtful posts, you kids should probably head out, too. I'll hold the door for you.
Sadly, I knew about the observation/lab angle going in. I tried to avoid any prior knowledge, but I inadvertently caught half a preview somewhere. But even knowing that much, still didn't prepare me for the awesomeness. And I'm not really talking about the ultimate ending (honestly, that kind of lost me, despite being cool visually), I'm really focusing on the contents of the program. Rooms and rooms of the worst things imaginable is so f--king badass it makes me want to squeal. Imagine if they could had licensed some of the horror legends, thereby making every horror flick ever true? I would have shit pure delight for at least a week. Maybe two.
With that horrible image resting comfortably in your mind, let's head down to the basement and do something foolish to unearth the Yays and Boos. Don't worry, if they saw you in the shower, killing you is the last thing they'd think of...
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| They're going to get Triscuit crackers out of Carl's car. |
Yaaaaaaaaay!
- Gambling at work is always fun. But on who and how? Now that's an office pool I want to dive into.
- At first all the horror cliches were frustrating. But they quickly became very cool.
- Speaking of...I laughed out loud at Creepy Gas Station Guy's phone call to headquarters. Am I on speakerphone?
- Maybe this is a Boo, but I learned that a hot chick kissing a dead wolf's head does something for me. Just me, apparently.
- It's like the difference between elephant and elephant seal.
- Two words: Richard. Motherf--king. Jenkins.
- The Japanese version of the program! That's great.
- Best motorcycle jump ever? Has to be on the list.
- And finally, THE SCENE. You know what I'm talking about. Let's get this party started. Indeed.
Booooo!
- Okay, huge nerd alert, but they reference a PSA they've never seen before. I used to milk that one for a laugh (that never came) once a week. I learned it by watching you!
- The one-way mirror scene! Classy, but c'mon man! You could've waited ten more seconds. Please.
- And speaking of, where were the boobs? No, no. I mean the big ones.
- What actual people would ever, ever go away for a weekend and bring an odd number of people? Yes. That was what I found unbelievable. And yes, I'm an idiot.
- And finally, who the Hell is afraid of a unicorn? I mean, other than me (now that I've seen what they're capable of).
Let's see if Lewis Black is right. I'm pretty certain he is.