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End of year movie reviews bumper edition.

The Substance, 2024 (*****)
Absolute masterpiece that transcends its Cronenberg and John Carpenter body horror influences with such incredibly uncompromising energy that it feels like something that genuinely belongs in the present day. Cast, cinematography, soundtrack, direction, script: all amazing - movie of the decade.

Terrifier 3, 2024 (****)
The perfect seasonal gorefest. Much like the previous entries the story is completely incoherent and nonsensical. But with outrageously shocking set-pieces as good as this it matters little.

Cuckoo, 2024 (**)
Despite some beautiful camerawork in the promising forest setting, like much modern-day horror CUCKOO is a mocktail of am-dram cast of obnoxiously vacuous characters, inept muddled writing, and a ludicrous ending. 

I Saw The TV Glow, 2024 (*)
For all the same reasons even worse, far worse in fact, than CUCKOO (see above).

Heretic, 2024 (***)
Two Mormon girls find themselves ensnared in the home of a wonderfully creepy and camp Hugh Grant who delivers some of the best monologues since Lord Summerisle. Despite Sister Barnes being far too Hollywood chic to be remotely believable it's all very enjoyable until the movie inevitably dissembles into a meaningless rote thriller.

Subservience, 2024 (**)
If Hallmark were to launch a Horror channel, movies would be like this. Although ME3GAN did this a million times better, the AI maid/wife/servant genre (as with WIFELIKE below) is always fun. Sadly, and ironically, ChatGPT could have written a better script, and the acting is worse than a BioWare cutscene.

Wifelike, 2022 (***)
One only for the completionist. As an admitted fan of this nascent AI robot horror microgenre I have to confess to enjoy Meredith even more android than human. Elena Kampouris is actually great in this role, which unfortunately can't be said about the main star, unnervingly as 'William'.

The Apprentice, 2024 (***)
Film could have been so much better focusing entirely on the story of New York lawyer Roy M. Cohn, a fascinating and compelling character played brilliantly by Jeremy Strong, the early interactions and exchanges reminiscent of classic Scorsese.

Strange Darling, 2023 (**)
When is a twist so obvious it's no longer a twist? Felt like a missed opportunity since while the story's premise and atmospheric setting are perfectly good it's ultimately undermined by the sheer stupidity of its extremely underdeveloped characters.

Smile 2, 2024 (**)
Two hours of Naomi Scott clumsily hamming it up as a boilerplate Lady Gaga archetype with intermittent jumpscares make for a disappointing sequel. No plot, no explanation, no character development, no smile.

Mads, 2024 (*)
(REC)-style POV single-take zombie outing from France which never really answers the question why or who is the cameraperson running around filming this? Technically it has things to admire but ultimately the characters are just too irritating.

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LA47 + LA93 AUDIO RECORDINGS AT BANDCAMP

Two classic new remastered live action audio recordings with their respective original posters are now freely available for download at Susan Lawly Bandcamp page until next month; namely, LA47 (1990) and LA93 (2001), both of which took place in London.

FACE THE FEAST OF POWDER

It's here! And it's beautiful!

FACE THE FEAST OF POWDER T-shirt/hoodie + set of 4x badges (1x FTFOP + 3x random different designs from the series)

Button badges are vintage style 25mm and perfect for any occasion, even your D&G jacket or favourite LBD!

7 October 2024 limited release.

More pictures at Instagram.

Pre-orders from Dirter Promotions.

Special 10% discount code: FTFOP10

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August 2024 review update.

MaXXXine, 2024 (***)
High hopes after the extremely enjoyable Pearl yet despite a wonderfully stylish opening act, the film begins to lack any narrative focus and finally underwhelms. Also disappointing, despite a fun aesthetic and soundtrack, and speaking as a pedantic fetishy connoisseur of that decade, is a lack of attention to 1980s detail. Kevin Bacon is as ever annoying as Mia Goth is fantastic and compelling.

Longlegs, 2024 (**)
The trailers for this were so amazing thus setting expectations way too high for what turned out to be a pointless exercise in investigative drudgery and exposition dumps mansplained by a charisma-free supernatural FBI detective lady. As usual Nicholas Cage stars as Nicholas Cage, here making only a short appearance despite star billing and some decidedly dubious make-up.

Wonderland, 2024 (**)
Incredibly confusing sci-fi movie involving advanced technology capable of AI reunions with one's departed loved ones - by the time I figured out what was happening all interest in the sub-stories was lost. Despite its intriguing subject matter and setting, the movie lacks soul. I kind of wish it'd gone down a darker more dystopian Black Mirror-type route.

Tarot, 2024 (*****)
Three tales from Korea each tenuously based around a reversed tarot card. The first is certainly creepy and unsettling, the second downright unpleasant yet forgettable, however the third is worth the price of entry alone. An absolutely genius episode of body horror, creative and original, whose final scenes will long linger in the memory. 

Toys Are Not For Children, 1972 (****)
This 1970s low-budget psychosexual drama might be low on explicit sleaze but is highly original and believably acted by Marcia Forbes as the strange young woman. The plot tells a delightfully messed-up story of obsession and perversion. Imagine if John Waters had directed The Baby, it might look something like this.

Candy Land, 2022 (****)
In contrast to the above Toys Are Not For Children, Candy Land's sleaze is most definitely explicit and in that respect puts to shame the often incredibly coy horror movie scene. However that's not all: the movie is an extremely enjoyable and satisfying slasher, directed with loads of energy and belying its low budget.

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PSYCHOPATHIA AT BANDCAMP

Very happy to announce the special release at Bandcamp of PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS, the rare and highly sought-after 7th Whitehouse studio album originally released on limited cream-coloured vinyl back in 1982 and never repressed. Sadly, soon after, the original studio reel-to-reel master tapes went missing and thus today the album has been professionally remastered from a pristine unplayed copy of the vinyl.

It had been announced my intention to release a legacy CD version of this record and for various reasons that hasn't happened, main one being that I admittedly felt a bit queasy since it couldn't be mastered from the original tapes.

Throughout June you can use the code 'PSYSEX' to get the album at 50% discount!

Thanks once again for all the fantastic support and messages.

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May 2024 review update.

Pearl, 2023 (****)
Not a fan of X but this one, perhaps significant for being co-written with main star Mia Goth, is an effective psychopathy character study, albeit within a classic horror format. Occasionally self-indulgent and drawn-out but ultimately a very satisfying movie indeed with a terrific pay-off. Looking forward to MAXXINE!

Sleep, 2023 (*****)
Highly recommended claustrophobic horror with wonderfully black comedy elements of a pregnant wife whose somnambulating husband is engaging in increasingly bizarre and inexplicable behaviour. Don't miss this one!

Rent-A-Pal, 2020 (**)
One of the most unrelentingly depressing movies I've ever seen. Unpleasant middle-aged man living with his dementia mother sees mental and physical abuse going both ways. Film is very well-made and acted but no entertainment value whatsoever.

Immaculate, 2024 (**)
Nunsploitation horror without the exploitation. Locales are pretty, excellent and believable support cast and a snappy runtime. Sidney Sweeney gratuitously screaming gets annoying really quickly though.

Exhuma, 2024 (**)
If you've seen the excellent Yumi's Cells drama, you'll know the FL and it's quite impossible to take her seriously as a practised shaman and otherwise manipulator of various dark supernatural arts. Film delves into interesting aspects of Korean contemporary history but beyond two or three quite nicely ominous scenes felt flat.

Anatomy Of A Fall, 2024 (**)
Unforgivably long, highly pretentious wannabe Bergmanesque deep character study of a couple's relationship seen through the lens of an investigation into the husband's suspicious death via a fall all leading to an absurdist courtroom drama final act.

Love Reset, 2024 (****)
Highly enjoyable romantic comedy.

Hostage:Missing Celebrity, 2023 (***)
Korean remake of Chinese movie Saving Mr. Wu has plenty of memorable scenes but ultimately formulaic and predictable.

Brave Citizen, 2023 (***)
Shin Hye-Sun, as a most unlikely former female boxing chmapion ever and now high school teacher, is brilliant as the cat-mask-wearing heroine avenging bullying victims in her school. Sadly, an overlong Rocky-style denouement does spoil the balance of the entire film.

Tastes Of Horror, 2001 (**)
Compilation of 6 shorts, mostly supernatural in nature, a few nice moments but as a cohesive experience nothing very special.

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STEVE ALBINI (1962-2024)

I am so deeply saddened by the shocking news yesterday of Steve Albini passing away. Can't quite believe it.

In 1987 we first recorded the 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' 7" with Steve at his home studio (pictured) - at the time knowing him more as a notable writer at Forced Exposure though I believe we may have briefly met at the 1983/1984 concerts in Chicago.

From then I used to see Steve regularly all through the 90s and during that time worked together for the full TYLS album (1990), another 7", albums 'Twice Is Not Enough' (1991)/'Halogen' (1994)/'Quality Time.' (1995) and then the three extended sound collages on 'Mummy And Daddy' (1998)/'Cruise' (2001)/'Bird Seed' (2003).

Steve was exceptionally talented at everything he put his mind to as he also did with great thoughtfulness and integrity.

It was an incredible privilege and huge pleasure to have been able to work with him and learn so much. Not only about music and recording, for example one poignant remark he made directly inspired me to drastically cut down on drinking at shows.

Steve was so funny, so well-read and knowledgeable, a fantastic often caustic story-teller, always down-to-earth, always sharply focused and dedicated to his amazing work.

My love and thoughts go out to Steve's friends, his family, and his partner.

2X NEW LIVE ACTIONS AT BANDCAMP

Two new live action archive audio releases at Bandcamp for March 2024!

Firstly we have LA12 in Chicago (poster pictured above) that took place at the famous Exit venue in 1983. The other one is LA115 from Cologne, Germany from 2003 at Gebaeude 9, venue where many famous performances have taken place.

Both are freely available to download until next month. Thanks once again for the much appreciated support!

DUMPING THE FUCKING RUBBISH : MARCH 18

It's happening!!

DUMPING THE FUCKING RUBBISH limited edition t-shirt : March 18th release date, pre-orders now available!

Absolute must-have for 2024!

COMING SOON + BANDCAMP UPDATE

 

DUMPING THE FUCKING RUBBISH special limited t-shirt coming soon, absolute must-have, watch this space for more news!!

Also, new for January 2024 at the Susan Lawly Bandcamp page there are two new live action audio archive recordings: LA43 (Toronto, 1984) and LA107 (Brussels, 2003). As a free bonus download the latter also features some amazing pictures taken by photographer Manu Burghart at the concert. 

Both LAs are freely available to download until next month, once again thank you for the support!