Alright, this movie has received great reviews from critics. Mixed to low reviews from regular everyday schmucks like you and me. I get it, I was torn while leaving the theater. Having not seen any of the director’s, Trey Edward Shults, previous work, I wasn’t completely sure what he was going for. I think this is where the problem lies.
The term Horror is subjective, always has been. If viewers wanted a gore fest, this is not for you. A supernatural/demonic film? Not gonna find that here. Want everything wrapped up in a neat little bow? Keep looking. What we do get, and what I believe to be the director’s vision, is a glimpse into the human condition.
The film wastes no time setting the tone, or showing what “It” is. Within the first ten minutes, you find the main characters saying their godbyes to a disease riddled old man. The grandfather. He is being disposed of. The patriarch of the family, Paul (Joel Edgerton), and the 17 year old son Travis (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), carry the old man into the woods in a wheelbarrow. They come to a shallow hole, where the old man is placed. Paul then shoots grandpa in the head, and burns his body. All while Travis is watching. If you haven’t guessed, “It” is the virus. They return home to Sarah (Carmen Ejogo), Paul’s wife/Trevor’s mom, who is mourning the loss of her father.
We see their day to day life. Living under the strict set of rules set by Paul. We are also introduced to the first of many dream sequences. Travis has a series of dreams, which seems to serve two purposes. To show that the isolation, fear, and loss are breaking him down. As well as to let the viewer know that “It” is ever present. Aside from the explanation that people are getting sick, we never get the how and why. Sometimes they forget there own rules. Like wearing their gloves and gas masks whenever they go outside.
Their fear intensifies when there’s a break in one night. A man, Will (Christopher Abbott), looking for suplies to feed his family. Sarah convinces Paul to spare him in hopes of getting information about the world outside. Paul then leaves him tied to a tree until he’s satisfied with what he hears. Paul and Sarah make a deal with Will. He will bring his family, and stay with Paul’s. Bringing all his families supplies with them. That’s always a good idea right? More people in an isolated situation, tension much?
You guessed it. Tensions rise between the two families, under Paul’s authority. See, Paul is the only one who has the key to the door that leads outside. No one leaves unless he lets them. Eventually, Will’s son gets sick. Which leads Paul to rethink his decision. They gotta go. This scene carries us pretty much through the end.
I enjoyed this movie. Seeing Travis slowly fall apart. An isolated seventeen year old who wants to be a normal teenager, but is haunted by the bleak world around him. Watching as Paul’s good intentions slowly turn bad. As he continually succumbs to his fear, he constantly crosses one line after another. To the point that he’s running in pure survival mode. Not weighing the consequences of his actions. Ultimately destroying his family.
The video store: For many younger people, it’s a laughable relic from an analog age. A VHS-era dinosaur from a time when mankind was forced to leave their couches and venture into the night; uncertain if they’d be able to snag the last copy of Tango and Cash. Before the streaming era began, we had a few choices when it came to video stores. Everyone old enough remembers Movie Gallery, Blockbuster, and Hollywood Video. A trip to the video store growing up was an adventure! Weaving through the new movies and old classics with the determination of Ahab in search of our own white whale. We didn’t have YouTube at our fingertips to check out trailers before renting. We had to go by the cover art and description. That method is better, as it allowed me to see some incredible films I wouldn’t have bothered with after watching the trailer.
An actual picture of me from 2006
I was already a video store junkie when I moved to Richmond in the early 2000’s. So much so, that I ended up working as a manager for a couple years at one of the previously mentioned chain stores. Even so, I became a regular renter at the Video Fan. Though smaller than my well-lit corporate video prison, the Video Fan’s expertly curated sections were a time machine to my fondest video store memories of old. Glancing at the new releases, I’d choose a movie or two then race upstairs to the cult and horror sections; Gushing over impossible to find VHS copies of forgotten gems that were all mine, if only for a night or two.
They have a copy of “Thriller (They Call Her One Eye).” I MEAN, C’MON!!!
The Video Fan felt more like a record store than a video rental place, which was a good thing. The employees had a Guru-like knowledge of film. In those hallowed halls, I was directed to cinematic masterpieces that would have otherwise been overlooked. For that, I will forever be grateful. Pangs of pity go out to those in the future. They may never be able to experience a truly independent video store like Video Fan. Something special happens when talking with fellow cinephiles and video store employees that can’t be imitated with online movie forums and blogs. There’s comfort to a store knowing it’s neighbors well enough to pick up ten copies of the newest Jim Jarmusch film, and only three of the newest Transformers movie.
The RZA, The GZA, and Bill Murray lamenting the closing of Video Fan
In late 2014, Video Fan started a Kickstarter campaign with a very simple purpose; keep the store open for another year while it secures non-profit status. In addition, a documentary about the legendary store called “Video Fan Forever” was to be made. The funds were raised with great success, and the store stayed open. They even started a non-profit to keep the store alive! videofanforever.com
Enter 2017. Over 2 years after the Kickstarter campaign, Richmond’s best video store is closing it’s doors. They “can no longer sustain the business in it’s current location.” The “Video Fan Forever” documentary will still be made, but unfortunately, with a much sadder ending. Times have changed. The convenience of Redbox, streaming Media, and OnDemand won out in the end. They are more convenient, sure, but by no means better. Not by a long shot. For 31 years the Video Fan has served as Richmond’s movie geek heaven, and it will be deeply missed.
In a Facebook announcement, Video Fan showered thanks on it’s dedicated customers.
“Thank you for the love you’ve shown over 31 incredible years.”
No, Thank you, Video Fan. Thank you.
For a deeper look into the decline of physical media, check out the documentary “VHS Massacre.” Available to stream free for prime members on Amazon (Yes, we see the irony).
From Ripley to Jessica Jones, the panel discusses femme fatales, brainiacs, and haunted loners on our episode dedicated to bad-ass ladies of film, television, comics, and real life!
● Track Info ●
Commercial Plug Music:
SKGB – Ridin Dirty Wit Ganesha
Disclaimer Music:
David Mumford – Night Without Sleep (Instrumental)
Kevin MacLeod – Fretless sellfy.com/p/hi2x/
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Join Us Every 1st and 3rd Monday at Fallout, and every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at Wonderland for GUI Trivia! 8-10 pm
A GEEKS UNDER THE INFLUENCE weekly “pre-cap.”
The Bruce fills you in on must see TV shows and movies for the week of 6/19/17!
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Join Us Every 1st and 3rd Monday at Fallout, and every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at Wonderland for GUI Trivia! 8-10 pm
GUI Home – www.guipodcast.com
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The panel heads to Themyscira for hangs with the Amazons, and discuss the highly anticipated DC film “Wonder Woman”
Panel: Mike “Hobbit” Bickett, Lowdown Brown, Kyle Smash, Katie Turbo, Ritzy Carlyle, & The Bruce
VIDEO:
AUDIO:
● Track Info ●
Commercial Plug Music:
SKGB – Ridin Dirty Wit Ganesha
Disclaimer Music:
David Mumford – Night Without Sleep (Instrumental)
Kevin MacLeod – Fretless sellfy.com/p/hi2x/
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A GEEKS UNDER THE INFLUENCE weekly “pre-cap.”
The Bruce fills you in on must see TV shows and movies for the week of 6/12/17!
_________________________________________________
Join Us Every 1st and 3rd Monday at Fallout, and every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at Wonderland for GUI Trivia! 8-10 pm
GUI Home – www.guipodcast.com
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We see a plethora click-bait every day on social media disguised as nearly believable articles. They’re filled with scandalous new information on celebrities, products, and world leaders. These sites rely on tricking the general populous into briefly believing even the most erroneous of claims. They don’t care if you buy the story, as long as you click the link and drive their ad revenue. There’s three categories of fake news out there; Stories to reinforce ideology, satire taken seriously, and ones to make money.
Much of the fake political news is used to reinforce an already strongly held political ideal. When we say “Fake News”, we don’t mean CNN. We’re talking about slanted blogs like those used to back up claims by flat-earthers and chem-trail theorists. Satirical articles are taken seriously sometimes. This even happens with the major media! This is easily avoided by simply checking your source. Money making stories don’t need to get into politics. They can be about your favorite celebrity, movie news, or sports accusations. Doesn’t matter, as long as the headline makes you click. We shed some light on these untrue pop culture stories in our weekly article “Friday Faux-Pop: Untrue Pop-Culture News”
‘Fidget Spinners’ Can Kill Your Child
The claim is that ‘Fidget Spinners’ contain a dangerous amount of lead. The origin of this story comes from a Facebook live video from lead-poisoning prevention advocate Tamara Rubin. After testing eleven ‘Fidget Spinners’, she found two containing an unsafe level of lead. Tamara’s conclusion? Buy your toys and goods from reputable vendors.
#FidgetSpinnerPlease watch and share! Thank you!LOTS of LEAD Found in Fidget Spinners!Video #3Http://www.TamaraRubin.comhttp://www.GoFundMe.com/LeadSafeMama
We have no issue with Tamara. She’s a consumer advocate that’s doing her best to bring up the very real problem of cheaply made consumer goods with dangerous levels of lead. Remember the Mattel lead paint debacle of 2007?
We do have an issue with the websites ‘The Federalist Papers’ & ‘American Freedom Fighters’ who took her unofficial findings, reported they were official findings, and fear-mongered the ever living shit out of it! Let’s play the reality vs. fantasy game. Reality: Buy from reputable vendors to avoid goods with unsafe levels of lead. Fantasy: FIDGET SPINNERS WILL SUPER MURDER YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND EVERYONE YOU LOVE”! Which one is more likely to make you click the link? Fuck you, fear mongers! It’s my fidget, and I’ll spin if I want to!
Cannibals Arrested in Florida Claim Eating Human Flesh Cures Diabetes and Depression?
On 30 May 2017, the Miami Herald published an article claiming there was what seemed to be a… what, a diabetes cannibal cult?
Source: Snopes.com
Here’s a quote from the article:
“According to the officers, a bizarre crime scene was quickly uncovered upon entering the basement. Three men, which have since been identified as 62-year-old William Provost, 51-year-old Dennis Ratcliff, and 36-year-old Michael Dore were sitting in a circle on the basement’s concrete floor and ritualistically chanting while eating what police initially believed was an animal carcass, but was later identified as human remains.”
Seriously?! I know this was supposed to take place in Florida, but c’mon, internet! This is a classic case of a satirical article being taken seriously by a legitimate news source. The original story ‘broke’ on the satirical news site The Miami Gazette, and was never meant to be taken seriously.
Someone at the Miami Herald needs a lesson in fact checking! We all know the blood of Dutch virgins cures diabetes, not just any old human flesh! Jeez!
Next Star Wars Film to be Shot Near Richmond, Virginia, Hundreds of Extras Needed
This claim even got us at Geeks Under the Influence! We believed it because we wanted so badly for it to be true! Any Star Wars fan worth their salt would do just about anything to be in a Star Wars movie! Unfortunately, this is a baseless claim utilizing a different small city in each new article. Talk about the lowest of the low! Getting up the (new) hopes of geeks everywhere for no other reason than to get website clicks? FOR SHAME!
Artist Rendition of ‘Star Wars Episode IX: The Resistance of River City’
C’mon, people! This is a common sense one. If a beer company makes a strange announcement on April 1st, it’s A GODDAMN APRIL FOOL’S JOKE! In 2014, Sam Adams announced it would be releasing a “helium-infused beer.” Only problems? Besides it being a stupid idea, the announcement was made on April 1st. Hmmm… I wonder if it’s real?
If you watched this video and thought it was anything other than a gag, you need to maybe look up the definition of gullible. It’s not in the dictionary, so you might have to do some googling. Since 2014, claims of a Helium beer have circulated the web. Most notably, the ‘Die BierProbierer‘ podcast claimed to have gotten a hold of a bottle of ‘HeliYUM’ as their own April Fools joke.
Since, both Stone Brewing Company and Berkshire Brewing Company have continued the joke. Let’s be real. This shouldn’t even be a thing on Snopes.com. You should know better. We all should know better!
Check out a new “Friday Faux-Pop” article every Friday on www.guipodcast.com
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Join us or die for yet another night of debaucherous geekery! On Tuesday, 6/13 from 8-10pm we’ll be shoving sacks of useless knowledge in your brainholes! If you haven’t come to a GUI trivia before, then kick off your summer right by bringing a team to 1727 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23223!
Click the pic for our Wonderland Trivia FB page!
Fan of the Geeks Under the Influence Podcast? Trivia is hosted by The Hobbit, and you just might run into a few of the panelists in the crowd!
Every trivia includes the “Shoppin’ With Chad” category that highlights Wonderland owner Chad Painter’s forays into film, sports, music, superhero-ing, etc! Some say it’s a photoshop category. I say Chad’s just that epic! Pair that with Wonderland’s famously insane food and reasonably priced bar fare, and you’ve got the perfect way to spend a Tuesday! 21 and up – Trivia Prizes! – Free!!!
Our newest episode “GEEKS UNDER THE INFLUENCE #105 – MULTIVERSE -SUPERGIRL: SWEET SWEET SQUATTY POTTY MONEY” is up!!!
–NSFW– *SPOILERS*
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s GUI!!! We talk all things CW’s Supergirl on our newest episode!
Panel: Scotty P. (Host), Hobbit, Sean Lucas, Smallville, & Katie Turbo (Second Half)
GUI Hotline Call-in:
Sophia from Brooklyn
Video:
Audio:
● Track Info ●
Commercial Plug Music:
SKGB – Ridin Dirty Wit Ganesha
Disclaimer Music:
David Mumford – Night Without Sleep (Instrumental)
Kevin MacLeod – Fretless sellfy.com/p/hi2x/
_________________________________________________
Join Us Every 1st and 3rd Monday at Fallout, and every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at Wonderland for GUI Trivia! 8-10 pm
A GEEKS UNDER THE INFLUENCE weekly “pre-cap.”
The Bruce fills you in on must see TV shows and movies for the week of 6/05/17!
_________________________________________________
Join Us Every 1st and 3rd Monday at Fallout, and every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at Wonderland for GUI Trivia! 8-10 pm
GUI Home – www.guipodcast.com
GUI Hotline: (804) 505-4GUI (4484)
(Message & data rates may apply)
