MIX/VHS | Week 074
Week 074
Record heat this week in ATX! 109 degrees? Yikes! Stay inside, grab a cold drink of somethin', relax, and enjoy this list of what to watch curated by your eclectic media loving pals from MIX/VHS!
Meshes of the Afternoon
WATCH IT HERE!
This 1943 short film by Maya Deren is incredible. Its formally experimental style creates a compelling film language of visual poetry, and completely suspends any sense of reality. The images are meticulously composed in beautiful black and white photography. and the score is a treasure as well.
- Morgan
Three Identical Strangers
GO SEE IT!
Don't watch the trailer for this film! The mystery of Three Identical Strangers almost seems too bizarre to be true, and too shocking of a scope to comprehend. The film's ability to interweave that sense of "How did this happen?" with humor and emotional heaviness is something special. Again, try to go in as cold turkey as possible on this one. Really a gut choker for anyone with siblings.
- Spencer
Godzilla vs. Monster Zero Final Battle
WATCH IT HERE!
I just saw the trailer for the upcoming Godzilla movie, and it got me in the mood for some old school cardboard-building-toy-cars-on-tracks kaiju action. This is the climax of the classic Godzilla vs. Monster Zero, which fans of MF DOOM will recognize as much of the sample material from the album Take Me To Your Leader. If you haven't seen the film, here's a basic synopsis: aliens from Planet X have tricked Earth into "contracting" Godzilla and Rodan to help them rid their planet of Ghidorah, who they call "Monster Zero." After completing the contract, it's revealed that the aliens have been controlling Ghidorah through magnetic brain waves, and they then take control of the contracted kaiju to threaten Earth's existence! How will they snap Godzilla out of this spell and save Earth??
- J Cole
Black Christmas
WATCH A CLIP HERE!
The work of director Bob Clark is not as fathomably large or well-versed as other directors from the 70s and 80s. He is most notable for his holiday comedy, "A Christmas Story," however he deserves substantial recognition for giving cinema one of the earliest examples of the slasher genre, and arguably, one of the best in the horror genre. "Black Christmas" is not without some 70s charm and technical flaws, but most notably on a viewing some 40 years since it's creation, is that it is a haunting, visceral, and chilling horror film. In the same ilk as Carpenter's "Halloween," or James Wan's horror-foray, "Black Christmas" leans more on the thriller genre, with a sense of dread in each frame, and a constant questioning of whodunit. Gore is subtle but eery, and each scary is well-deserved amongst otherwise tense moments. The scene where police are trying to pin down a mystery caller with old phone tech is one of the most suspenseful scenes I've seen in a long time. The performances are surprising, and the cinematography is remarkably smooth and stylistic. "Black Christmas" deserves more attention and care - it is one of the most artistically crafted horror films ever made, and it just so happened to be one of the founding fathers of the "slasher" genre.
- Jake
You Must Remember This
LISTEN TO IT HERE!
Been obsessed with the podcast for a while as it combines two of my favorite things: Old Hollywood and History. Narrated and produced by Karina Longworth (who’s soothing story-teller voice captures you the moment you hit “play”), each podcast episode takes the listener on an entrancing sonic journey where Longworth examines the life (and often) mystery of a famous Hollywood individual, mystery and/or scandal. Each episode is concise and well-written. Also, if you want an even more chilling experience, there’s a separate bonus podcast series on the Manson Murders:You Must Remember Manson. Definitely recommend this one if you’re obsessed with film history and/or the mystery and scandal of Old Hollywood. You can truly get yourself lost in this unique and thrilling podcast.
- Zoe
Like this mix? Tell us what you think in the comments below, and let us know what you’re recommending for us to watch this week!