August 2020 Review: The Best Movies I Saw Last Month

Originally published September 7, 2020

August was an exceptionally difficult month for me due to expectations and responsibilities surrounding work. I was not able to write as much as I normally would and that got me down. Additionally, I ended up watching a lot of really bad movies this month which made it harder for me to connect with the writing. Now that work has quieted down tremendously, I have more time on my hands to devote to this blog. Thankfully, the quality of movies started going up by the end of the month so I found myself feeling revitalized by the end of it all. All three of my favorite movies of the month were watched in the last week or so of August. In total, I watched 46 movies last month. Here is a brief snapshot of the best. I hope you enjoy it!

BEST #3) Antichrist (2009); Director: Lars von Trier; Denmark/Germany/France/Sweden/Italy/Poland

After the death of their son, a man and a woman attempt to rebuild the pieces of their lives and each other. They decide that a trip into the woods is the best therapy they can manage and set off with purpose. Once there, their situation deteriorates as they succumb to something dark and sinister. Antichrist is not an easy film to watch. It is graphic, explicit, and audacious in tone, imagery, and subject material. At times I found myself repulsed, shocked, and intrigued, which is not something I can say for many films. Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg give great performances, with the latter truly relishing in the unhinged nature her role demanded. Their chemistry is palpable and makes the film feel more personal and genuine. Antichrist is wrapped in spiritual and natural metaphors for nature, morality, gender roles, sexuality, and mental health. Admittedly, a decent amount of it flew over my head so I’ll put it out there that I need some repeat viewings before I say anything with certainty. What I can say, is that Antichrist is a compelling film that will make you gasp, shudder, and above all think about the dark complexities of human nature.

Overall Score? 8/10

BEST #2) Waxwork (1988); Director: Anthony Hickox; United States/United Kingdom/West Germany

A group of college students are invited to an exclusive midnight party and premiere at a new waxwork exhibit in their sleepy college town. Once there they begin exploring the museum and interacting with the horror-inspired exhibits in a way that transports them to a new world. Really. Once they cross the threshold of an exhibit, they are taken to the world inspired by the display­– worlds, worlds populated by mummies, vampires, zombies, and so much more. The crew must survive their individual cycles of horror if they want any chance of leaving the waxwork alive. Waxwork is a humor and fright-filled nostalgia trip that takes viewers on a journey of some of horror’s greatest hits. It achieves the perfect balance of 80s’ cheese and genuine thrills. The set design felt particularly inspired. The waxworks themselves were visual delights, both captivating and curiosity inducing. Once the plot gets going, it becomes more of a game to see which crazy scene the heroes will endure next. Another strength of Waxwork is the delightful cast of characters. While sporting solid performances all around, Zach Galligan’s Mark, smarmy rich kid, and Michelle Johnson’s China, a brash and breezy HBIC, are easy standouts. China may be one of my new favorite horror characters and absolutely deserves to be a gay icon. Playful, witty, and smarter than her peers give her credit for, my only complaint is that China deserved more screen time! Waxwork is a wacky and entertaining love letter to the genre that will melt any horror fan’s heart.

Overall Score? 8/10

BEST #1) Nightbreed (1990); Director: Clive Barker; United States

A young man seeks out therapy to better understand the troubling recurring dreams he has of a mythical city named Midian where peaceful monsters live. At the end of his latest session, he’s convinced that he is responsible for a string of murders. On the run and searching for answers, he finds himself on the outskirts of a cemetery that may hold the answers to his obsession. It’s hard to write about Nightbreed and omit the many threads that come together to create such a unique and fun film. Part horror, part action, a little fantasy, and a splash of romance make Nightbreed an adrenaline rush and monster mayhem fueled hour and fifty minutes. Clive Barker does an excellent job of bringing this whimsical world alive through expert world-building and immersive set design. Everything about Nightbreed hits the mark for me: great pacing, varied and engaging action and suspense scenes, creative creature designs that primarily use practical effects, and both compelling and likable characters. I also really enjoy the messaging of Nightbreed. The freakish and outcasted monsters are the protagonists while the antagonists are the “normal” folks, but mostly just law enforcement and other carceral figures. The true violence lies in how you treat others and that theme is repeatedly used throughout Nightbreed. As much as I enjoyed Nightbreed, I do believe it could benefit from a more modern retelling or update. With the right director and cast, I would endorse it! Harrowing and heart-pounding, Nightbreed is a fantastic piece of early 90s’ action-horror that is pure entertainment and fun.

Overall Score? 8/10