DirectTV Christmas horror commercial

Don, our co-conspirator in the Darkley comic, shared this video with me recently. Sure the Christmas season has come and gone, but nevertheless it's an amusing little commercial. Where else would you find Jason Voorhees chopping down a Christmas tree or Hannibal Lecter helping cook Christmas supper?

Women in Horror Month, part II

After last night, I couldn't help but be reminded of other women that I wanted to include in the roster. Instead of tacking them haphazardly onto the end of the previous post, it seemed more appropriate to give these ladies one of their own. So, without further ado, the Niche presents "Women in Horror Month" part II.

JULIANNE MOORE
(1960-present)

This is rather embarrassing on my part, since it never really registered that agent Clarice Starling was played by two different women, with Ms. Moore in 'Hannibal' (2001). Maybe that's not such a bad thing, really, since the changeover was pretty seamless. Well done.

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JAMIE LEE CURTIS
(1958-present)

Requested by Carla of Nakamura's Place, Jamie Lee Curtis is more than memorable as Laurie Strode, Michael Myers' younger sister, in the 'Halloween' franchise. If that wasn't enough, Ms. Curtis was cast in another John Carpenter film, 'The Fog' (1980), as well as 'Prom Night' (1980), 'Terror Train' (1980), and 'Virus' (1999), among others. Now, I haven't seen the third or fourth movie that was mentioned just before, but I certainly intend to.

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MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ
(1978-present)

Step aside, Milla Jovovich, because while you may be the crux of the 'Resident Evil' films, Michelle Rodriguez was the woman that earned my admiration. Also appearing in 'The Breed' (2006) and apparently will be in the upcoming 'Machete' movie (scheduled for 2010), Ms. Rodriguez is a lady that I would like beside me in a hard situation, especially during a zombie outbreak.

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SIGOURNEY WEAVER
(1949-present)

Anyone familiar with science fiction films knows that Sigourney Weaver ranks among the top actresses in this genre, appearing more recently in 'Avatar' (2010), but more memorably in the sci-fi/horror 'Alien' franchise as Ellen Ripley. To simply put it, Weaver is to an alien attack as Rodriguez is to a zombie outbreak. Personally, and I may get some guff for it, Ms. Weaver was my favorite in 'Alien Resurrection' (1997). Why? Because she plays as a tough-as-nails clone with xenomorphic blood and mannerisms, bordering on creepy and sensual at times.

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ANNETTE O'TOOLE
(1952-present)

Perhaps it's a bit of a longshot, but Ms. O'Toole earns my recognition as Beverly Marsh in the film adaptation of Stephen King's 'IT' (1990). She's more often associated with the superhero genre, playing Lana Lang in 'Superman III' (1983) and Clark Kent's mother in the television series 'Smallville'. However, 'IT' holds a significant place with myself and Annette O'Toole helped to make it special.

Women in Horror Month

The Darkley Niche is still a very young site, but we've managed, at least I hope, to start walking in the right direction by following the example of other horror bloggers. Carla, better known to many as Cool-slayer, runs the blog Nakamura's Place and is essentially what got me interested in starting my own. And while it's not specifically a horror blog, she discusses the genre from time to time and is a much bigger horror buff than myself, garnering my respect. So, getting a foothold, I started referring to the links that she included to find other sites of interest, specifically horror blogs, and eventually came across Rhonny Reaper's Dollar Bin Horror. From here I've found that there is a strong female following in horror fandom, which brings me to the matter of this post.

Started by Hannah of Women in Horror Month, February has been dedicated to the women that have made contributions over the years to the genre and has attracted attention, mostly from the female horror community. Throughout this month, for example, Rhonny Reaper is recognizing fellow bloggers of the fairer sex like herself with the "Cyber Scream Queen of the Day Award". Meanwhile, the gals of ZombieGrrlz are doing "28 Days of Diabolical Dames", dedicating a daily post to a different woman in horror. While I myself might not be of the female persuasion, I can still appreciate this event and at the very least give recognition to a handful of ladies whose talents deserve acknowledgment.

ELSA LANCHESTER
(1902-1986)

Despite her very brief roles as Mary Shelley and the Bride in Universal's 'The Bride of Frankenstein' (1935), given less than twenty minutes of screen time, easily, her performance in the latter part is both eerie and enchanting. This, I'm sure, is why the Bride has become such a classic Hollywood monster.

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ZELDA RUBINSTEIN

(1933-2010)

As many horror fans are aware, the recent death of Zelda Rubinstein brings in the new year on a slightly somber note. Well known as medium Tangina Barrons in 'Poltergeist' (1982) and the sequels that came in succession, she gave a grandmotherly warmth to the role that makes her particularly memorable.

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CASSANDRA PETERSON
(1951-present)

Now, to any of you girls (or guys, for that matter) that guffaw at this third mention, I'll point out that Ms. Peterson (a.k.a. Elvira) has established herself as a horror cult icon on par with others like Bruce Campbell, who essentially live off of their created personality. To achieve the sort of fame as that, I tip my hat to you.

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JODIE FOSTER

(1962-present)

Granted, 'Silence of the Lambs' (1991) and its following sequels fall more appropriately into the thriller genre than horror. Still, there is definite horror interwoven, and Ms. Foster's role as agent Clarice Starling is iron strong in the adversity of two sociopathic serial killers and a discriminative Bureau.

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HELENA BONHAM CARTER
(1966-present)

Lending her talents to several of Tim Burton's films, Ms. Carter more than proves her mettle in such roles as the ever-wistful Emily in 'Corpse Bride' (2005) and grisly Mrs. Nellie Lovett in 'Sweeney Todd' (2007). Thanks to her, I will never look at a pot pie the same way, again.

Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield

As I've mentioned before, sometimes my video browsing takes me through online sites. 'Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield' has been featured for a while now on Hulu, but its expiration is very near. So now seemed as good a time as any to watch this film. My expectations weren't very high, but having horror film icons Kane Hodder (Jason Voorhees, 'Friday the 13th' VII-X) and Michael Berryman (Pluto, 'The Hills Have Eyes' 1977) was incentive enough. It should be noted that I'm unfamiliar with Ed Gein's personal history, so this review is completely at face value. In some instances such a perspective can be preferable, but I digress.


'Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield' is based on real life murderer and grave robber Ed Gein, taking place, from what I can assess, sometime in November of 1957, when the actual Gein was suspected and arrested, in the small town of Plainfield, Wisconsin. It begins with a captured teenage girl, who attempts escape, twice, but is stopped and soon after killed by Gein (Kane Hodder). We realize she isn't the first victim, as the barn she awakes in has a collection of various human body parts. How many were from living victims or previously deceased is not made known.

Recently promoted Deputy Bobby Mason (Shawn Hoffman) discovers the teenager's car stranded on the side of the road with blood splattered on the inside of the passenger window. The possible homicide is called in and a search is begun, though they cannot judge if the Jane Doe is missing or dead. This doesn't sit well with Bobby, but is consoled and encouraged by his girlfriend Erica (Adrienne Frantz) and mother (Priscilla Barnes, 'The Devil's Rejects'), though the latter worries him with what's likely the onset of early dementia. Elsewhere, Gein exhumes a corpse with the help of his friend Jack (Michael Berryman), though he is anxious about the whole affair and states that he will have no more in this. Big mistake. Bludgeoning Jake to death with a shovel (making a rather disappointingly short cameo of Berryman), Gein drags the body along a length of chain with his truck, passing by Deputy Mason's police car in plain sight. Why isn't he arrested right then and there? Because Bobby and Erica were too preoccupied making out. Way to be ever diligent, Bobby.

Like Jason Voorhees, Kane Hodder plays a similar role as a man with maternal issues. Having died some time ago, along with his brother, Gein lives alone and is disturbed by the memories and images of his mother. This problem becomes especially compromising when his hallucinations cause him to strangle friendly bartender Sue in broad daylight. A couple notice the murder, but at their angle mistake it for making out. Obviously Sue doesn't come home that evening, so her husband reports her missing the next day. Bobby assures the husband, but with the teenager still missing his confidence is still uneasy. And well it should be, as Gein starts to eerily eye Mason's mother. Listen to your son and lock your doors, lady!

Concerned for his girlfriend as well, Deputy Mason decides to drive over and pick her up, but is asked to investigate the tavern on his way out. The Sheriff also reminds Bobby to learn how to use the police car radio. You can already tell that this is going to come back and bite Bobby in the ass later. Meanwhile, Gein enters the hardware store where Ms. Vera Mason works, apparently letting himself in thru the "unlocked" backdoor, to procure some supplies: baling wire, rope, and a pick ax. Building a fence, Mr. Gein? Not likely. And when he starts hallucinating again, it doesn't bode well. At least this time he snapped out of his delusions before killing another woman.

At the tavern, Bobby and Erica talk about the case. The missing teenager was identified as Becky and suspect, after talking with her father, that she may have been shot by her boyfriend. But their focus is soon lost as they start to make out.

Erica: "I thought we were on official business."
Bobby: "Oh, uh, I'm just... checking you for weapons."

Smooth operating there, Bobby. Just when we start to doubt the deputy's skills he notices a bottle with a dirty hand print on it, just like the steering wheel of Becky's car, which was also dirty. It's a stretch, but at least Deputy Mason's intuition is accurate in this instance and the police's first real lead. And with the drink itself, a caramel pop, not so common it should prove useful. Unfortunately this won't be of any use to Sue, who, elsewhere, is decapitated alive by Gein with a handsaw.

In the next county over, on business to put out a notice for the missing women, Bobby and Erica are called back when his mother goes missing. (Meanwhile at Gein's home, we get a rather disturbing scene with him wearing pieces of flesh sewn together into a second skin, complete with breasts and, I'm assuming, a vagina as well. I could've looked closer, but I honestly didn't want to.) Fearing the worst, Deputy Mason speeds dangerously back towards Plainfield, but accidentally loses control of the car on the road and crashes. Disoriented, Bobby climbs out of the wreck and finds Erica close by, half of her face and knee torn up but still alive. With the radio broken, Bobby is forced to leave Erica along the roadside to get help, after she squeaks out an "I love you" (though I imagine she would really have used a different choice of words, since she was pleading with him to slow down).

As luck would have it, while Bobby manages to hail down a couple driving a truck for help, Erica is found and taken away by Gein to his home. Rather naive, Erica thinks that her "rescuer" is a doctor, despite being taken to a barn instead of a hospital and brandishing a saw. Strangely though, Gein resets her broken leg instead of sawing it off, as most would have expected. Oh, and remember that clue about the dirty hand print, the connection Bobby made earlier between the tavern and the missing girl's car? Thrown completely out the window. A local yahoo at the gas station reports to the Plainfield police about spying a woman's foot sticking out of Gein's truck.

So the entire police department, Bobby excluded, arrives at Gein's darkened house with guns ready. Aware of the authorities, Gein carried Erica into the woods to someplace private and because "The barn's not for your type. Too pretty." Not long after, Bobby catches up with the rest of the police and after informing the sheriff that Erica, who turns out to be her father, has gone missing they break into Gein's house. Upstairs they discover Sue's skin, stretched out taught in a macabre display. In the barn they find Ms. Mason's body, hung up in an equally gruesome fashion. After taking a moment to say goodbye to his mother, Bobby searches with the rest of the police for his girlfriend, finding Gein with a little help from Erica.

The climax gets a little pointless as Erica argues morality with Gein before Bobby jumps him, and then again when Erica and the other officers tell Bobby he cannot be judge and jury by killing Gein, who ultimately decides not to with the cliché "you're not worth it" retort. On a final note, before the credits role, the film informs its watchers that Ed Gein was tried for ten murders but found guilty of two, declared mentally unfit, and instead of a death sentence spent the rest of his days living in mental institutions. However, likely expecting that this would not be satisfying, it's added that Gein succumbed to cancer and died in his cell.

More or less, 'Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield' was what I expected: a low quality horror film with an emphasis on the gore and less on the plot. While the film has Kane Hodder and Michael Berryman to give it appeal, Berryman's role is so brief that he's nearly forgotten as soon as his cameo is over. And as for Hodder, we aren't given the chance to really delve into his thoughts to learn what events warped Gein into committing murder and mutilation. We're given a few hints but nothing of real substance, which is a real shame since Hodder gives us a good performance. The film revolves too much around Deputy Mason's personal life, losing perspective on the character we're more interested in. Yes, we can be involved with the story's protagonist, like Clarice in 'Silence of the Lambs', but it doesn't lose sight of its key player, in this instance Hannibal. With that, I give it one out of five meat cleavers.