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I wish I wrote this review

Infinity Pool

2023 sci-fi/thriller

Director Brandon Cronenbreg most definitely is following in his father's footsteps. In that disturbing mind bending story telling with deep underling social commentary way. Although in no way is he just like his father, Brandon is for sure, a beast of his own.

For context I will begin to dive into his most recent movie infinity pool. Which if you haven't seen it was an excellent film and I highly recommend watching it. I will go into some spoilers here to discuss overarching and underling themes I feel are important in this movie. So again if you haven't seen this movie I highly advise you go see it and come back to this article.

Plot: Guided by a seductive and mysterious woman (Mia Goth), a couple on vacation (Alexander Skarsgard, Cleopatra Coleman) venture outside the resort grounds and find themselves in a culture filled with violence, hedonism and untold horror. A tragic accident of hitting a local with their car, soon leaves them facing a zero tolerance policy for crime: either you'll be executed, or, if you're rich enough to afford it, you can watch yourself die instead.

At first James (Alexander Skarsgard) is pretty shocked and disturbed by the reality of being cloned and watching himself die. Then he's accepted into this club in which he starts to forget his anxiety over the experience of what had happened. Being convinced this is a get out of jail card, a path way to be invincible almost. James slowly begins getting high on this power, not realizing that those he's surrounded by what are not the best people. Again and again he watched himself die and loses any empathy that had been there before. Finally Gabi (Mia Goth) sets him up thinking he's attacking someone else with a hood on their head. When she reveals he was about to kill his own clone and he begins to panic realizing it's not the same. Trying to leave the group stops him forcing him to fight his clone with a final blow and he kills his own clone.

I feel that this is commentary on joining the IN-GROUPS. More specifically wealthy or rich class, although it could apply to any popular In-group. I feel like he's saying that when you join these groups a little piece of you dies. The further in you become the more you die and to become the full fledged member you have to kill off that last remaining piece that is you. We get peer pressured into this through society. By the groups themselves wanting us to join. By the systems giving us the options to do that or face consequences that may be damaging or harmful. Society always pushes us to destroy ourselves to be part of the upper class, the popular groups. Even if that means shooting out a bus window and stopping the car in front of the bus screaming come out James!

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"Ed and His Dead Mother" is a 1993 horror-comedy film directed by Jonathan Wacks and starring Steve Buscemi, Ned Beatty, and John Glover. The movie tells the story of a man named Ed whose deceased mother is resurrected by a salesman offering a "special embalming fluid," leading to a series of comedic and horrific events. One of the most notable aspects of the movie is its blend of humor and horror. The film uses dark humor to subvert typical horror tropes, resulting in a unique and entertaining viewing experience. The comedy is often absurd and over-the-top, but it works well within the context of the film's surreal and fantastical world. Additionally, the movie features some impressive practical effects and makeup work, particularly in the portrayal of the resurrected mother, who is both grotesque and hilarious in her appearance and mannerisms. Overall, "Ed and His Dead Mother" is a quirky and enjoyable horror-comedy that stands out for its creative blend of humor and horror, as well as its impressive practical effects. While it may not be for everyone, fans of offbeat and unconventional cinema may find much to appreciate in this underrated gem. #stevebuscemi #nedbeatty #edandhisdeadmother #horrormovies #comedy https://www.instagram.com/p/CpqsxKKMPwE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Death Race 2000" is a 1975 science fiction action film directed by Paul Bartel and starring David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone. The movie is set in a dystopian future where the most popular form of entertainment is a cross-country race where drivers score points by running over pedestrians. The movie has gained a cult following over the years due to its over-the-top violence, dark humor, and satirical take on media and entertainment in modern society. However, it has also been criticized for its glorification of violence and its exploitation of sex and gore. From a cinematic perspective, the movie is well-executed, with impressive car chases and stunts. The performances by the lead actors are also notable, particularly David Carradine's portrayal of Frankenstein, the enigmatic driver who is the fan favorite in the race. Overall, "Death Race 2000" is a movie that may not be for everyone, but it has its place in pop culture history and is worth watching for fans of cult classics and dystopian fiction. However, it should be approached with caution due to its violent and graphic nature. #sylvesterstallone #davidcarradine #rogercormanscultclassics https://www.instagram.com/p/CpqqWKQuXwX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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"Twice-Told Tales" is a 1963 horror film based on a collection of short stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Vincent Price stars in the film, playing various characters throughout the different tales. The stories in "Twice-Told Tales" are dark and macabre, exploring themes of guilt, revenge, and the supernatural. Throughout the film, there are many instances of horror and loss, including: "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment": In this tale, a group of elderly friends drink from a fountain of youth, only to discover that the rejuvenation is temporary. When they revert to their old selves, they realize that they have wasted their newfound youth on petty squabbles and regrets. “Rappaccini's Daughter": This story follows a young woman who has been raised by her father to be poisonous to the touch. When a young man falls in love with her, he discovers too late the deadly consequences of their relationship "The House of the Seven Gables": This story centers on a family cursed by a long-ago injustice. As the family members struggle to escape their fate, they face tragedy and loss The Haunted Palace": In this tale, a man returns to his ancestral home, only to discover that it is haunted by the ghost of his evil ancestor. As the ghost takes possession of the man's body, he becomes a vessel for the ancestor's malevolent spirit. Throughout "Twice-Told Tales," there are many examples of horror and loss, including death, betrayal, and supernatural forces. Vincent Price's performances in the various tales help to bring these chilling stories to life, adding to the overall sense of dread and foreboding that pervades the film. #vincentprice #horrormovies #kinolorber #anthology https://www.instagram.com/p/CpqaZg_Ojke/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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"The Taking of Pelham 123" is a classic action thriller movie that was released in 1974. Directed by Joseph Sargent, the movie stars Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, and Hector Elizondo. The story revolves around a group of four hijackers who take control of a New York City subway train and demand a ransom for the lives of the passengers. Walter Matthau plays Lieutenant Zachary Garber, a transit cop who is the primary negotiator with the hijackers. Matthau's performance in the movie is exceptional and he stands out among the cast. His portrayal of Garber is that of a calm, witty, and resourceful officer who is able to think on his feet in a crisis. One of the reasons why Walter Matthau shines in the movie is his ability to balance humor and seriousness. His character's wisecracks and dry humor provide some much-needed comic relief in tense situations. At the same time, he also displays a strong sense of responsibility and duty towards his job and the passengers on the train. Matthau's performance is also notable for its understated and natural style. He doesn't rely on flashy or showy acting techniques but instead lets his character's personality shine through his dialogue and interactions with other characters. This gives the movie a sense of realism and credibility that is often lacking in other action thrillers. Overall, Walter Matthau's performance in "The Taking of Pelham 123" is a masterclass in acting. He elevates the movie with his skillful portrayal of Lieutenant Garber and makes it a must-see for fans of the genre. #movies #takingphelham123 #waltermatthau https://www.instagram.com/p/CpqRLvCORnw/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I’m not one for slip covers but Monster at sunshine camp might be my favorite #vinegarsyndrome #horrormovies https://www.instagram.com/p/Coxu_yQuJzf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The Hideous Sun Demon

The hideous sun demon is a 1958 sci-fi horror movie but what can I say about this? Well I mean it's one of those cheesy movies you've probably seen on MST3K or Svengoolie. So what does IMDB have say for the synopsis? Well let's take a look!

"A scientist, Gilbert McKenna has an accident where he is exposed to high levels of radiation. Surprisingly this does not kill him but instead leaves him unable to be exposed to sunlight. Whenever exposed to sunlight, McKenna devolves into a lizard man with homicidal tendencies. After having a brief fling with a nightclub singer, and killing her boyfriend, McKenna is on the lam from the police which culminates in a one on one battle on top of a tower. Great monster costume and Shatner type acting from Clarke are the most memorable parts of this great 1950s creature feature."—Campbellnator

I find this synopsis interesting because for anyone who has watched the movie; it's not an accurate description. If I were to write it I think I'd say "A scientist, Gilbert McKenna has an accident where he is exposed to high levels of radiation. Surprisingly this doesn't kill him but whenever he's exposed to sunlight it causes him devolve into lizard humanoid creature. Terrifying those around him he had to remain in hiding and only come out at night. After encounters with a nightclub singer who's tied in with a monster, his exposure to the sun causes his to defend himself and kill the mobster and go on the run from the police."

Now I would like to compare this movie to wolf man. Wolf man was written by German Jewish screenwriter Curtis Siodmak of polish descent that fled during the Nazi occupation of WW2. So it's very much got ties Jewish persecution, going into hiding, being hunted etc. This movie has parallels with wolf man rather in the full moon it's in the sun. He's in hiding and on the run and seen as a monster which leads me to the crux of my thesis.

I think it's an allegory for being gay, so please hear me out. As you watch the movie you'll notice he goes to shady night clubs. Back in the 50s-60s gay men didn't have open options, you had to be secret and quiet. A lot of shady night clubs owned by monsters were the place to go for the queer community. His romantic interest is treated like a fling and even afterwards she acts as though he's a friend, his other lady friends are just friends he's not your typical ladies man for a 50s movie especially a B movie. Like usually for these movies it's a build up and they fall in love and it's special. Here is a strange happy accident but things go bad because of her pimp but she's like it's not like that between them? Then there is one part where he's hiding in a closet because he's ashamed of himself. There's a part where he's thinking of suicide by jumping off a cliff. For an age of the 50s when sexual freedom was still highly repressed and homosexuality was widely unexpected. This seems like it fits the stage of someone who feels like they were seen as a monster in society. I enjoyed this and found it great hopefully I can go further into depth later on.

I rate it at a sun demon out of a gay allegory, thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed.

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Well it’s official! This March production will begin for the movie #Thanksgiving from @realeliroth The trailer was first seen on the film #grindhouse #horrormovies #slasher https://www.instagram.com/p/CnNtYLJs12q/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Don’t mind me just making a bowl of cereal, getting ready to watch some cartoons. #saturdaymorningcartoons #cereal #johncandy #nintendo https://www.instagram.com/p/CnHmJ0dOI4o/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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No rest for the wicked when it comes to movie collectors. #shoutfactory has just announced special edition 4k releases for #deadsilence #exorcist3 and a new Blu-ray for #drgiggles the movies come out in March and have tons of features. #horrormovies #comingsoon #jameswan https://www.instagram.com/p/CnFD3NHuM-b/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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SIGN ME UP! I’m ready for #evildeadrise I haven’t been pumped for a horror movie in a long time. Plus a chainsaw will be used! This looks bloody #horrormovies #evildead #necromonicon https://www.instagram.com/p/CnAyO08Mvam/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Ah the latest 4K release from #fullmoonpictures Maybe I’m biased, but this has always been my favorite movie in the series. Coming Jan 24th 2023 #horrormovies #puppetmaster #4kultrahd https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm6_Gr_uZ-N/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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#TheChiodoBrothers have been entertaining us for years. From Killer Klowns, Trolls, Critters and so much more. They did some of the stop motion puppetry for the movie #ELF Merry Christmas everyone! #horrormovies #ernestscaredstupid #killerklownsfromouterspace https://www.instagram.com/p/CmmN8mJuySU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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One great way to celebrate #christmaseve watching #abbottandcostello meet #theinvisibleman with @crashchannel_27 on @metvnetwork @realsvengoolie https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmk5VSFMWLO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Enjoy today how ever you celebrate it. Just remember this is Christmas movie #christmas #inside #horrormovies https://www.instagram.com/p/CmkcluoOV-u/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Well it’s a double feature kind of day and what better movies to kick off this week then #Feed and #thegreasystrangler when I say these movies are not for the weak stomach. I mean it. Disgusting, entertaining and comical. #horrormovies https://www.instagram.com/p/ClPsYjfsg4A/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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For the longest time I never really expanded my mind. I never really gave stuff a chance. Small back story I won’t go into. Growing up when I became fond of a movie or tv show my family would ridicule me or compare me to nerdy relatives they didn’t want to be associated with. Why though? What’s the harm of letting somebody enjoy something different or something they love. I’m forever grateful for @crashchannel_27 for showing me these shows. #startrek is truly a ground breaking show with amazing and deep stories that relevant today in some cases. #lostinspace is part family show part Saturday morning show with episodes that can almost cartoon like, watch Dr Smith’s cousin showing up. Like a looney tunes cartoon. Lost in space is on #hulu and the #frndlytv app. Both are worth it. Star Trek is on #paramountplus #scifi #tvshows #sciencefiction #williamshatner #leonardnimoy https://www.instagram.com/p/CkriHhZMAzv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=