Bloody Pit of Rod

Saturday, December 20, 2025

THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN (1957) Lobby Cards and Poster

When the weather turns chilly I think of this film!

Thursday, December 18, 2025

The Bloody Pit #225 - WHOEVER SLEW AUNTIE ROO (1971)

December brings our new Holiday Horror episode with John Hudson and Troy Guinn dropping in to hang the mistletoe. This year we examine the Christmas time tale WHOEVER SLEW AUNTIE ROO (1971) starring Shelly Winters and a host of British character actors. It turns out I am the only member of our trio who had watched this film before 2025 opening up a number of questions about why Troy chose it! Privileges may need to be rescinded.

A major part of our discussion revolves around director Curtis Harrington’s memories of the movie and its cast. After years of holding my tongue, I finally air my complaints about his rather plodding directorial style and point to a scene that I feel needed a different sensibility behind the camera. Actors Micheal Gothard, Lionel Jefferies, Hugh Griffith and Ralph Richardson are dutifully admired with each adding unique flavors to this very odd holiday dinner. The stand out child actors are given their due with a prominent face from the 1970 version of SCROOGE making all of us fantasize about ending Tiny Tim’s life. We also marvel that unlike what is usually expected from the ‘hag horror’ genre Winters’ character isn’t a mean-spirited villain but instead a grief crippled mother too susceptible to conmen in her life. And then we debate the relative evil of the two main child characters with me leaning toward innocence more than malice. This is something best left to each viewer to decide on their own, methinks!

If you have any comments about this year’s Holiday Horror or possible choices for the next thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. We hope everyone has a great end of year celebration and we will be back soon with a short episode about our favorite films of 2025.

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

What I Watched in November 2025

I’m aware that KEEPER (2025) is not a film that is built to appeal to a mass audience. It is slowly paced and hides its true genre for as long as possible before the horror of the events onscreen is revealed and explained. I’ll tread carefully since I think it is best to see this tight thriller with as little foreknowledge as can be managed. The central performance by Tatiana Maslany is brilliant and the entire film hinges on her skills as an actress. I expect her to be this good because of my introduction to her broad talent on the television show Orphan Black years ago. She shoulders the narrative perfectly as both our view inside this anniversary weekend in the woods with her boyfriend and the creeping dread of what begins to happen inside the cabin. Maslany’s ability to convey dozens of shades of emotion and intelligently give voice to subtle concerns elevate her performance into something award worthy. Sadly, director Osgood Perkins seems to be one of the few creators out there that recognizes her range and employs her accordingly. She is a rarely tapped resource that the entertainment field would be smart to cast more frequently.

As stated, I will not spoil the shocks the film deploys but I have to say that I find the final images to be some of the most satisfying of any horror film of recent vintage. KEEPER wasn’t made for a large audience but it is a deeply effecting tale for those who find its wavelength.

The List

THE YEAR OF THE CANNIBALS (1969) – 7

THE SEVENTH VICTIM (1943) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)

BUGONIA (2025) – 9

PREDATOR: BADLANDS (2025) – 8

A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE (2025) – 8

BRONSON (2008) – 7

BLACK BELLY OF THE TARANTULA (1971) – 6 (rewatch)

MORBO (1971) – 7

THE RUNNING MAN (2025) – 7 (good but not great)

KEEPER (2025) – 8 (exceptional slow burn horror)

KLEINHOFF HOTEL (1977) – 7 (erotic drama with Corinne Clery)