For some people October means autumn is here, bringing with it pumpkin everything, apple picking, and sweater weather. For other people October means only one thing: it’s time to celebrate Halloween. Best Video Film and Cultural Center’s monthly film series is honoring the latter (though you can definitely purchase the requisite seasonal beverages there) with four horror movies, ones specifically chosen by their members.
Best Video, one of a handful of surviving video stores in the country, has become a place to hear live music and see film screenings since its incorporation as a nonprofit a few years ago. The first film in this month’s screening series — 2009’s Drag Me to Hell, directed by Sam Raimi — was chosen by father and son Chris and Cole Moody. Though Cole said his dad really was the one who picked it out, Chris noted that they both “love it so much.” In fact, it is in regular rotation in the Moody household.
“It’s an October tradition,” added Chris, who also noted that with his 50th birthday coming up on Oct. 8, he considered the night’s event part of his birthday week celebration.
The two stop at the Whitney Avenue video store three times a week after Cole’s tae kwon do class.
“They’re really nice here, and have a lot of stuff that isn’t available from streaming,” said Cole, adding that horror movies were his personal favorite.
This particular movie was one that Chris mentioned he and his wife had seen in theaters with their daughters when it first came out, and has been a family favorite ever since.
“You know where it’s going but you don’t care,” he added with a laugh.
Cole noted its PG-13 rating, which might surprise some people, also saying that “nothing horrible” happens, which garnered a laugh from Chris.
“It’s so perfect,” Cole added. “If you want something scary but not too scary, you’ll enjoy it.”
In addition to this week’s film, the series will include Ravenous (1999), Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (1974), and Pet Semetary (1989). All features will be shown on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and hosted by members. All are free to members and seven dollars for non-members. The fresh popcorn is free to all attendees (though snacking during a Sam Raimi horror film can be a precarious task, as he can sometimes go for the gross out).
Chris and Cole introduced the film and spoke to the crowd, which filled nearly every chair in the space.
“This really inspired my love for horror movies,” said Cole. “It’s really great.”
Chris then relayed a story about how, back in 2009, one of his daughters “requested to be scared out of her seat.” After seeing the previews for this movie, they said “this will do it” — which it did. Chris described how she “jumped out of her seat and into her mom’s lap” during one particular scene and stayed there for the rest of the movie.
“It’s a fun movie. It’s predictable. It has that horror formula and a little comedy and it’s just a really fun, fun movie.”
One might ask how a movie called Drag Me to Hell could be considered funny, but if you are a fan of Sam Raimi’s horror films, then you know exactly what Chris is talking about and what you are in store for. His Evil Dead trilogy is one of the most beloved film series of the modern era: three horror films with a visual style and action sequences that are often reminiscent of slapstick comedy and cartoons/comic books that leave the viewer laughing as well as groaning. This film was his return to horror after having directed another trilogy actually based on a comic book, Spider Man (the original ones starring Tobey Maguire).
The story, written by Raimi and his brother Ivan, concerns loan officer Christine Brown, whose near-perfect life is upended by an old woman who puts a curse on her after she denies her an extension that would have helped her keep her home. Played by Alison Lohman, Christine is sweet and seemingly untroubled, doted on by her coin-collecting, comes-from-money boyfriend Clay Dalton (played by Justin Long), until this woman comes into her world. Now of course, no one is perfect, but she is trying. In fact, the decision she makes to not help the woman is made with the intention of getting ahead at her competitive male-dominated bank, where the wrong decision is the difference between a big promotion and being scolded for messing up a sandwich order.
The curse gives Christine three days before she is supposed to be dragged to hell, but during multiple encounters with a psychic as well as incidences at her workplace, home, and a meal with her potential in-laws, the viewer bears witness to enough hellish and hilarious situations that give an ample preview of what may be in store for her if she cannot break the curse.
I don’t know what was louder coming from the audience, the laughter or the cries of “Oh, no!” “Oh my God!” and “Ewwww!” This crew had a blast. While it may not be as raucous and unhinged as Evil Dead 2, it definitely takes the audience for a ride with every little noise and leaf blowing around, begging for your attention as much as the big reveals. And yes, there is even that famous Raimi camera tilt that tells you something sinister (and maybe silly) is coming.
Raimi even manages to comment upon a few tough subjects, like capitalism and body dysmorphia, but in the end, well, I’m not going to tell you how it ends. It was easy to see how this would be a movie that one came back to often, especially with others. After it was over, many lingered to discuss it with one another, and so many of them were smiling it was almost scary.
Best Video’s Member’s Choice Horror series continues through October every Tuesday at 7 p.m. For more details about the films being shown, please visit Best Video’s website.
