Editorials
[Netflix Roulette] ‘Harper’s Island’ A Fun Take on Agatha Christie!
Most of us have sat on our couch on a Saturday night looking for something to watch on Netflix. The only problem is, there are a lot of bad movies and shows on Netflix. So I thought I would be a good friend to all of you and start weeding out some of the bad ones. This is an idea for a new series of posts in which I will watch a randomly selected horror movie on Netflix and do a brief review on said film (this one won’t be that brief, but future posts will). How will I randomly select a film, you ask? It’s a rather grueling and scientific process where I close my eyes and place my finger on the screen and watch whatever horror movie my finger lands on. Sounds complicated, I know. Let’s get to it then, shall we? My first post is going to be about Harper’s Island, a 2009 CBS(!) series modeled after Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.
I know, Harper’s Island isn’t a movie. But it’s what gave me the idea to start writing these posts, so I thought it would be appropriate to start off the “Netflix Roulette” series. I don’t have enough time to keep binge-watching shows on the weekends so pretty much all of my future posts will be on films.
I missed Harper’s Island when it originally aired on CBS back in 2009, and judging by the ratings, apparently many of you did as well. The first three episodes aired on Thursdays in April, only to be moved to the TV wasteland of Saturdays in May. It’s a shame, because Harper’s Island is actually a pretty great show and you can watch all 13 episodes right now on Netflix!
The plot is pretty standard: a group of friends gather on an island to celebrate a wedding. The only problem is that a mass murder happened on the island years before and more people start dying shortly after the wedding party arrives on the island. Suspension of disbelief is pretty much required to make it all the way through the season/series since you have to believe that anywhere from one to five people get killed in each episode and it takes five episodes for people to take notice, but it’s forgivable.
I can certainly understand why viewership for Harper’s Island dropped each week. From what I’ve seen, it was advertised as a creepy murder mystery that was going to have lots of thrills. While the latter half of the season fits that description, the first half is very much a soap opera with horror elements. It’s a shame more people didn’t stick around to see what it would eventually become (episode 5 is probably the point where I went from “meh” to “hell yes” on the show) because it grew into a very ballsy piece of television that wasn’t afraid to kill off its characters. Episodes 11 and 12 are probably highlights for me (I think the finale loses a bit of steam, but it doesn’t ruin the show as a whole).
The cast is mostly good, with the standouts being Katie Cassidy, Christopher Gorham, Cameron Richardson and Adam Campbell. Harry Hamlin also seems to be having fun in a small role. Not all of the acting is great (and the little girl is one of the most obnoxious characters I have ever seen on screen), but most of the lesser talented actors are killed off in the first few episodes. The pilot can be a bit overwhelming with its introduction of roughly 25 characters, but as more people are killed off, characterization becomes more of a focus. This benefits the show greatly, as many characters that were annoying or seemingly cannon fodder in the beginning are given depth that really makes you sympathize for them when they eventually die (and trust me, many of them die). Also adding to the fun: the episode titles are onomatopoeic, representing the sound (or sounds, in the case of “Thrack, Splat, Sizzle”) a character makes when they die.
While not perfect, Harper’s Island is far better than it was given credit for (it’s better than at least 2 of American Horror Story’s seasons). Watching it in as little sittings as possible is arguably the best way to watch it (remember how I said those first few episodes were kind of “meh?”) but it gets very addicting. Think you can figure out who will live and who will die? Or even better, can you figure out who the killer is (I figured it out right before his/her/their reveal, so I felt a little dumb). Give it a shot and let me know what you think!
New month, new horror recommendations from Deep Cuts Rising. This installment features one random pick as well as four selections reflecting the month of May 2024.
Regardless of how they came to be here, or what they’re about, these past movies can generally be considered overlooked, forgotten or unknown.
This month’s offerings include a self-loathing serial killer, a violinist’s murderous ghost, and a postmodern vamp flick.
Scream, Pretty Peggy (1973)
Pictured: Ted Bessell and Sian Barbara Allen in Scream, Pretty Peggy.
Directed by Gordon Hessler.
The TV-movie Scream, Pretty Peggy first aired as part of ABC Movie of the Week. Bette Davis plays the mother of a reclusive sculptor (Ted Bessell), and after the previous housekeeper goes missing, a local college student (Sian Barbara Allen) fills the position. Little does she know, though, the young employee’s predecessor was murdered — and the killer is still on the loose.
Admittedly, Scream, Pretty Peggy isn’t difficult to figure out; its inspiration is obvious. However, Bette Davis’ overstated performance and the son character’s macabre artwork are enough to stay tuned and learn who’s behind the killings.
Scream, Pretty Peggy is now available on physical media from Kino Lorber. Perhaps watch the movie with your own mother this Mother’s Day (May 12).
Paganini Horror (1989)
Pictured: The ghostly killer in Paganini Horror.
Directed by Luigi Cozzi.
For National Buy a Musical Instrument Day (May 22), check out this absurd Italian entry in the subgenre of cursed music horror. A rock band unleashes hell when they unknowingly use a satanic piece of music composed by Niccolò Paganini, the violinist who was rumored to have made a Faustian deal.
Even though Paganini Horror is hardly deemed a standout of Italian Horror, and the movie indeed drags itself toward the finish line, there are some bright spots worth focusing on. For instance: Donald Pleasence. If that’s not enough, the very ’80s aesthetic helps gloss over the flaws in Daria Nicolodi‘s uneven script.
Paganini Horror is now on physical media from Severin Films and is also streaming on SCREAMBOX.
Nadja (1994)
Pictured: Suzy Amis Cameron and Karl Geary in Nadja.
Directed by Michael Almereyda.
These vampires may or may not cast a reflection, but they sure do love to reflect. David Lynch executive-produced as well as briefly appeared in the film, which Roger Ebert succinctly described as “Deadpan Noir” in his review. This tale of revenge and philosophical pondering begins with the vampiric namesake (Suzy Amis Cameron) seducing the daughter (Galaxy Craze) of Van Helsing after he killed Nadja’s father, Dracula. From there a war erupts between the two sides, all while taking place in modern NYC.
Nadja is quite slow but also just strange, stylish and creative enough to keep your attention. In addition, the trip hop soundtrack is easy on the ears, and Peter Fonda plays a memorable Van Helsing. Overall, this is a unique and artsy approach to vampire horror.
Nadja is now streaming on Freevee.
The Bone Snatcher (2003)
Pictured: Scott Bairstow, Warrick Grier and Rachel Shelley in ‘The Bone Snatcher’.
Directed by Jason Wulfsohn.
For National Sunscreen Day (May 27), dig up the monster movie The Bone Snatcher. It will take more than a high SPF to protect the sunburned characters here; they are stuck in a South African desert with a bizarre monster called the Esikhulu.
The best things about The Bone Snatcher are its setting and the creature. This beast, which is brought to life on screen using a combination of practical and digital effects, sports a ghastly design to go with its unnerving ability to animate skeletons. Something else this movie has going for it is a refusal to show the monster too often; that way there is less chance of becoming desensitized to the Esikhulu. Ultimately, this has nothing on John Carpenter’s The Thing, however, those more forgiving fans of Syfy-ish creature-features should be satisfied.
The Bone Snatcher is currently streaming on Tubi.
#1 Serial Killer (2013)
Pictured: Jason Tobin in #1 Serial Killer.
Directed by Stanley Yung.
May is AAPIM, and the subversive #1 Serial Killer (originally titled Chink) is relevant when discussing the “Invisible Asian” notion. Acknowledging the irony, Stanley Yung’s movie has gone widely unnoticed despite its potent take on race and identity.
Jason Tobin (Warrior) delivers a compelling performance as the vile protagonist here. The self-hating, Ted Bundy-admiring character discriminates against other Asians after years of mistreatment and disregard, and that growing rage finally manifests as cathartic violence.
#1 Serial Killer is currently available at digital retailers like Apple.
No genre is as prolific as horror, so it’s understandable that movies fall through the cracks all the time. That is where this recurring column, Deep Cuts Rising, comes in. Each installment of this series will spotlight several unsung or obscure movies from the past — some from way back when, and others from not so long ago — that could use more attention.
‘Infested’ Review – One of the Best Spiders Attack Horror Movies in Years
‘The King Tide’: An Island Town Rots with Moral Decay in Canadian Folk Horror Fable [Review]
Limited Edition Morticia & Wednesday Addams ‘Monster High’ Dolls Releasing Next Week!
TWO New ‘Evil Dead’ Movies Now in the Works; Sébastien Vaniček & Francis Galluppi Directing
“AHS: Delicate” Review – ‘The Auteur’ Gives Birth to a Lackluster, Laughable Finale
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