TRANSMISSION #15 //read //WATCH //play

I’ll be doing regular posts on what I’m READING WATCHING PLAYING. Some titles are current, some from a while back.

This post is all about watching CABIN IN THE WOODS

Occasionally I see a movie where everything goes wrong.  I’m not really in the mood, seats suck, annoying people sitting in close vicinity (if you’re not a brain surgeon, in charge of missiles or on-call to pilot that spaceship into the sun to restart it – turn your phone off).  You then witness something that more often than not begs the question “How the fuck did that get made…?” or “Well that was 2 hours of my life I’ll never get back.”

And then you get to see Cabin in the Woods, and everything you love about movies comes crashing back into your face.

What a great flick.  Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard – well done sirs.

It’s no secret I’m a huge Joss Whedon fan.  I’ve never been one to hide how much I love the Buffy TV series, and am always surprised at those who dismiss it with a disdainful adult laugh when the subject comes up.  Interesting note – the game industry seems to be made up of those who love Buffy and those who make fun of people who love Buffy.  I would like to work with the first group – because I’ve unfortunately worked too much with the latter.

Cabin in the Woods feels like it was made for me.

There’s the secret underground lab, tactical teams on call, all manner of monsters being held in a brilliantly designed prison, a mysterious force field hidden in the forest and a brilliant connection to some HP Lovecraft evilness.

C’mon…this is the stuff I spend my days thinking and writing about (and lately my nights).

Along with being highly entertaining, each actor does a fine job in their roles, the film moves at an excellent pace, revealing just enough plot until the bat-shit ending that I didn’t want to take a bathroom break for fear of missing something pivotal (or funny).  What also surprised me was how clever the overall idea is.  Seeing two typical office types tackling their jobs with such casual professionalism and simple banter was pretty damn funny, but finding out exactly what their jobs consisted of was downright brilliant.

I loved the universe and all it alluded to; the screens showcasing failed scenarios in other countries and the betting pool list of possible monsters (a snowman).

But most of all I loved the whole experience…

A movie filled with monsters.

A fresh take on the horror experience.

A film that was having fun with itself.

We need more of this (well…I do).  There have been some pretty epic franchises for nerds that have come out recently, with more to come.

I’m going to be there for all of them.

 I go to movies to escape. 

To forget about bills and work and bills and all the other shit we weren’t told we’d have to deal with when we were kids lining up for a movie we knew nothing about – but loved the poster (remember those days?).

I’m looking forward to having fun again at the movies  – let’s just hope the studios are too.

END TRANSMISSION.

– SEAN