As a film reviewer, I am forever broadcasting (or pontificating) my thoughts upon one film or another. My opinion is simply that, an impression from the point of view of one individual. Am I right? I would of course love to claim that "yes, I am the all knowing seer of films, the pugnacious potentate of celluloid, be all, end all of opinions", this however would not represent the truth by a long shot. The above statement would surely place me in some kind of asshole's hall of fame, or shame to be more precise. Film is a purely objective medium that is interpreted differently by each individual viewing it. I started to think that it would be nice to be able to offer my thoughts while at the same time allowing others to voice their opinions right alongside mine. Don't take my word for it, see what a consensus of very different people had to say about whatever film was in question.

I started to think about how we could go about offering my opinion with an addendum. Being a film nerd I naturally spend most of my time pondering movies as I try to find unique ways for them to occupy even more of my day. Then it hit me right in my ugly snout! I used to have a group of friends (notice I said used to have) and we called our weekly get togethers the Tuesday night movie club. We would go to the theatre, pick a film, and then argue about it on the way home (I said we were nerds, so fuck off!). This being a slightly more formal event, I decided that Tuesday night movie club sounded as lame as it actually was. It was going to need a new title and a different setting. The theatre would have to go, this needed to occur in an environment that was conducive to Jack Daniels and other self-medicating if desired (not required!).
 

As I thought about how to go about this, my mind naturally started to wander to my second favorite subject, film (sorry filmmakers, but BOOBS will always be #1). As I was ruminating by staring at my film collection, I happened upon a title that (yah it featured some great boobs) contained the answer to my conundrum. That film was John Irvin's Ghost Story. In the film, a group of old codgers get together to share spirits and a ghost story they hope to frighten one another with. They call themselves "The Chowder Society". That was it! We are the "Chowder Society" mach II.

Once a month we would like to offer numerous viewpoints on a film that I will pick and then review. It will go to the front page and be marked "this months Chowda pick". You can start by reading my full length if you so desire and then move on to the addendum which will feature the capsule reviews of as many people as we can get. We will announce two weeks in advance the title to be featured and if you are a Blood Donor (sign up, its free and painless) you can submit your views on the chosen topic. This will give our readers a variety of viewpoints to ponder before deciding if the title might be to your liking.

This month, in honor of our namesake, we were all treated to Ghost Story, a classic tale of a long held secret, small town relationships, families, close friends, malevolent familiars and one hell of an ass-kicking ghost.That said, Ladies. Gentlemen, and the rest of you....... John Irvin's Ghost Story.

Meet the July 2009 Chowder Society characters:

 

Mark
Former Percher

Not sure how I missed this era-transforming horror classic. But certainly if I'd stumbled upon it at any point in the last 27 years, my significant others, then and since, would likely have extinguished any attempt to watch it.

It was transformational for me in a sense that I truly believed that parts of it were set in realistic "Hollywood" depictions of points in time from the 30's to the early 80's. The fact that so many members of the movie's iconic ensemble cast chose this project will likely stand as one of the best examples of casting excellence; albeit among the most perplexing choices for the capstone works of Astair, Douglas, and Fairbanks.

The bold dichotomy posed by full frontal male nudity in mainstream horror with more subdued female exposure, was just one of many infusions of creative discontinuity with expectations of the day, or today. I didn't read the novel, so I wasn't forced to check that baggage at the door; and was able to experience this example of B-horror as, I believe, it was originally intended.

 

Ken
Webmaster

At the first meeting of the "Chowder Head Society", we had the pleasure of watching Ghost Story. This was quite the event with a varied mix of people and interests that made for an enjoyable time despite the fact I almost tripped over a step stool in front of the stove!

Ghost Story is a movie I would recommend to seek and pick up as soon as you can! It has a great classic feel and makes for a great watch. It is the kind of movie that does however require a second take as it is loaded with flash backs intertwined everywhere. The films plot does not follow a solid line, yet provides an experience that reminds me of walking through a house of mirrors at an amusement park. Why a house of mirrors you may ask? As soon as you enter the first time you don't know what to expect, follow, and the story just gets wrapped around itself as it expands leading you to the exit. The second time through you know what to expect and know how best to guide yourself through the images presented. Now you know what to look out for as the story brings you along for a solid ride.

 

Stosh
Annoyed Laborer

Medea, Jezebel, Boudicca....Eva Galli. Hell hath no fury.

Ghost stories seem to have fallen out of fashion these days. Not sure why since they, along with monster stories were among the first tales related by our ancestors around fires. Perhaps it's because we've separated ourselves from death and no longer see it on a daily basis. Most of us are no longer tied directly to death, with modern hospitals and funeral homes. Honestly how many of you have actually seen someone die?

Nevertheless, Ghost Story reminds us of how haunting a good ghost story can be. With a stellar cast, sumptuous and detailed sets, excellent dialogue, broodingly dark atmosphere and one of the creepiest spiritual manifestations on screen (Alice Krige), this film is the perfect example of what a true, gothic ghost story should be. With a subtle turn of the head and direct gaze, Alice slides sensuously from looks of tantalizing sexuality to frigid, deathly hatred. That's my girl!

It's worth the trip back to 1981, when women were still shaped like women, where men had penises and you actually got to see them (bite me Tipper Gore!) and when greats such as Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and John Houseman kept us immersed in a film. Where a bathtub scene, so wonderfully ordinary in its honest sexuality, can turn so horrific in one split second.

"Dance with me you little toad."

 

Big Red
Event Director

What a fun night! With all the emails, blackberries and texting going on all day it was wonderful hanging out with real people (vs. virtual) and discussing a movie. Everyone should be apart of a chowder society. I'm looking forward to our next gathering.

Not having seen the movie before, I loved the story line of Ghost Story. A small group of old long time friends getting together for cocktails and to tell ghost stories, only to find themselves caught up in one! Very scary!!

Step by step the story goes to their past and unfolds the history of the ghost that is haunting them today. I loved the cold winter settings and the creepy background music. It's a great thriller and I would absolutely watch it again!

 

Emily
Wordsmith

Haunted by the timeless fears instilled in audiences by such ageless tales as The Tell Tale Heart and The Mummy, Ghost Story is in itself a stand alone movie that deserves a space in any film lover's library ... let alone any horror buff's.

Shot in red (the color of passion and violence) and black (the color of wisdom and death), the opening scene sets a vivid mood for the physical and psychological demons that come to torment the antagonists of the movie — the "chowder society".

Playing upon not only some of our more visceral fears but also our cognoscente morals, the movie overall is highly thought provoking but best enjoyed among a crowd who can find amusement in the numerous takeaway lines it lends. I promise you'll find yourself trying to use them as often as you can.

 

Philip
IT

What can be said of Ghost Story has been said of Ghost Story; un-debatably a classic gem.

What I will add is an element of the movie that personally lingered after the credits rolled. That a group of life long friends, leading otherwise respectable lives, could conspire to commit the ultimate sin in the heart of small town America does not strike this native as all that far a reach. That even those clearly on the side of Good may take their secret sojourns into the Dark and none may know.

When the world begins to seem too predictable, the characters of Ghost Story remind us that tantalizing mysteries eddy just below the surface.

 

Tracey
Non Geek Web Mistress

Not being a grim enthusiast, I can safely say the same thing about any movie in the horror genre 'I haven't seen it'. I was expecting blood, guts, hiding my eyes and scared shit-less. Pleasantly however I was not scared at all on my long dark late night ride home. Ghost Story told a story not of bloody mass murder, but an old-time campfire mystery, where ones own deeds are the horror. And the scary parts - not really that scary. My kind of horror flick.