Yes, it is indeed the day after Halloween and the for some the "first day of Christmas", but fear not! For die hard horror fans and those who simply enjoy a walk on the disturbing side -in a festive way, of course- alike, every day of the year is perfect for appreciating old favorites and appreciating the genre and subgenres as a whole. For those that want something different than the modern "horror" flicks that may all feel one in the same and have no need to stay on the family friendly side, this is the right time to step beyond your horizons and into the past for the obscure, macabre, grotesque, beautiful, and well made. Other subgenres will of course be highlighted in the future but, I'm taking the time to inform and praise my favorite; Body Horror.
The dictionary definition being "a horror film genre in which the main feature the graphically depicted destruction or degeneration of a human body or bodies"
which of course we get in glorious fashion. One can't mention body horror without justly praising David Cronenberg. The one and only... director of classics such as "The Fly" (1986) starring Jeff Goldblum which is an excellent example of the genre itself.
"Naked Lunch" (1991) is another classic of Cronenberg's, based on a novel by William S. Burroughs it focuses more so on the drug induced writing process than the novel itself.
One couldn't at all forget Clive Barker's Hellraiser series. Especially the first film "Hellraiser" (1987) based on Barker's novel "The Hellbound Heart", this was a rare occurrence where the director was also the author and it was done amazingly. Meet the cenobites and solve the puzzle box with Frank, Kirstie and the gang.
This depicts the iconic scene where Frank rises into a humanoid form after Pinhead and the Cenobites rip his skin off and there isn't anything left but his few remains below the floorboards of the attic.
Another classic is "Re-animator"(1985) you can find it on Netflix and most definitely should. The undead is tackled here by Dr. Herbert West who is simply fascinated by the prospect of conquering death and invents a reanimation serum that has consequences neither Herbert nor his roommate envision. It's really fun and campy and an awesome zombie experience -especially if you're tired of "The Walking Dead"-. It's based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft, so good you'll lose your head. Possibly.
A favorite of mine -one of many of horror and body horror- is "The Stuff" (1985) from the same year as "Re-animator" with quite a different feel, this commentary on the capitalist junk food market is a must see and a great body horror film. If nothing else you'll get a laugh from the yogurt/ice cream like substance being the titular "monster".
Of course there's this scene, where the Stuff literally makes a former ice cream man played by Garrett Morris's head explode. This is just one part of what makes "The Stuff" a cult classic, definitely original, great in its own right, and an unforgettable experience. Think "The Blob" reversed.
Another favorite of mine and honestly the one that gets to me the most -not in a nightmare way more like the one thing that makes me cringe more than anything, while still enjoying myself- is "Society" (1989). Hints are given throughout that something is amiss and that would be enough to make most uncomfortable, but the best and most unsettling scene is at the end. The skin melting and devouring, orgy with bodies bending and transforming...both degeneration and destruction hit well. A great commentary on the upper crust society and how it's really...all about consumption. Watch the movie definitely, but if nothing else watch the last scene. If nothing else the first half will be amusing and even parts of the end.
A very original idea with a more industrial technological twist is "Tetsuo the Iron Man" (1989) a Japanese body horror film which shows the merging of man and post industrial technology. The titular character has a chance encounter with a metal fetishist and starts to sprout metal from all parts of his body, out of every orifice. Tetsuo is shot on a low budget but makes a big impact, and is definitely a must see.
There are many other classic and obscure examples of body horror out there that I haven't touched on here. Feel free to research and don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and/or deformed. Last but not least though, we have a more recent
film to mention. "American Mary" (2012) is a great movie horror wise and the effects are shown, but not quite as gruesomely as the other films mentioned. Mary is a struggling medical student who does one surgery for a job and finds out it isn't so hard, and starts her own alternative plastic surgery business. She makes friends with a real life Betty Boop and helps her friend become a living Barbie doll -nipple less boobs, and all-, and fulfills many dreams while getting her own revenge. I won't ruin anything and this is definitely a must see. Each one that I mentioned here is, quite obviously.
Horror has got to be my favorite genre of movie and while the psychological and the gorey slashers are awesome, this just takes the cake for me. There's so much quality film making in horror and in body horror itself that it's beyond worth it to put whatever squeamishness or aversions you have aside and give it a fair chance. Relish the rest of your holiday time before every single story is packed with Christmas decorations -so, the rest of November 1st-, grab some candy and have a movie marathon. All the best films are made more interesting with some damaging, reshaping, reanimating, and all around degenerating exploration. In fact, so is life.
