Monday, April 9, 2012

New Sponsor! Letter I

Our second Tuesday of the challenge has arrived and with it comes more A to Z horror. Hope you like it.

Movie.

In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
Directed by John Carpenter.

Plot: With the disappearance of hack horror writer Sutter Cane, all Hell is breaking loose...literally! Author Cane, it seems, has a knack for description that really brings his evil creepy-crawlies to life. Insurance investigator John Trent is sent to investigate Cane's mysterious vanishing act and ends up in the sleepy little East Coast town of Hobb's End. The fact that this town exists as a figment of Cane's twisted imagination is only the beginning of Trent's problems....

Review: I saw this movie a long time ago and it fascinated me. It was the first time that a movie storyline reminded me so much of the bulk of Lovecraft's work. It is not based on any single story but the feeling of confusion and, to some degree, madness brought to my mind many of his great stories. It is not a horror in the sense that there are ghosts or demons; it is not a violent or gory movie; heck, it isn't even about a killer. It is simply the story of a writer and his books, and a matter of answering one key question: who created whom?

Book.

I am Legend by Richard Matheson.
Published by Gold Medal in 1954.

Blurb: Robert Neville is the last living man on Earth...but he is not alone. Every other man, woman, and child on Earth has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for Neville's blood. By day, he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilization. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for dawn. How long can one man survive in a world of vampires?

Review: Not so long ago I did an extensive review of this book, should you want more detail, you can click here. But let's go over the basics. Most of us remember the story from a Will Smith movie, right? I did enjoy the movie very much and that was what lead me to read Matheson's book. Then, of course, I found out that the book had nothing to do with the movie. And I mean nothing. First, it is not a zombie story. It is post-apocalyptic indeed, but Norman truly is the last man on earth and the story is more about that fact. How do you deal with loneliness, with being the odd one, how do you survive your own memories of the ones you lost. In Matheson's world, during the day Norman is king and a hunter, but by night he is the pray and an ant.


12 comments:

VonLCid said...

This was a creepy movie indeed. I think it's "In the Mouth of Madness" though.

Von L
The Growing Writer

Unknown said...

I have a higher tolerance of horror books than horror movies. Not sure why, but I can't remember having nightmares from a book. Movies can haunt my waking hours, too.

Darlene E Williams said...

I'm a fraidy-cat so I won't be watching the movie, but I'm amazed at all the different themes I'm seeing on the A-Z Challenge. I'm sure you'll find lots of visitors who aren't squeamish!

StratPlayerCJF said...

I love "I am Legend!" That was a fabulous book!

And if you want to see a really unique and cheesy spin on it as a movie, check out the early-1970's Charlton Heston "The Omega Man".

Julie DeMille said...

I'm not a big fan of horror movies. Too squeamish. Plus, they give me nightmares. I didn't know about the book I Am Legend, it sounds intriguing.

Rhonda Parrish said...

I still haven't read I am Legend. It's on my list, but it's a long list so it may have to wait a while LOL

Georgina Morales said...

Hi Von, you are completely right, it is Madness... as the one afflicting me. I'll edit the doc. Thanks for letting me know!

Robin, it's funny that books affect you less since it is all in your imagination. I've read a few books that have given me nightmares, still I love those the best!

Darlene, I've been hopping around and indeed the themes are incredibly reach. I'm actually learning things! Who knew? Thanks for stopping by.

Chris, I'll look for "The Omega Man". I'm not quite a fan of Charlton Heston but you just made me real curious. =)

Jewels, if you feel more comfortable with the book, then by all means try it. It's an excellent read.

Rhonda, I have close to a hundred books on my TBR pile. I think I might need another life just to read them all... I hope you like "I am Legend" when you get to it.

Veronica Sicoe said...

"In The Mouth Of Madness" sounds great! *makes a note to watch is asap*

Great choices for the letter I, thank you for sharing and have fun with the #atozchallenge!

Georgina Morales said...

Thanks Vero! I hope you are having fun with the challenge, too. For me it's been quite an enjoyable ride. Thanks for commenting.

Jessica Ferguson said...

I'm putting a note in my phone to find the book. I think I used to have it but Lord knows where it is. Thanks!

danneromero said...

have seen or read either.. but they sound.... intriguing.

Georgina Morales said...

Hi Jess, you're so welcome. I hope you enjoy reading it. Thanks for commenting!

Danneromero, nice to have you here. Thanks for stopping by.