Welcome back to Reel Psyched in which we talk about films we’re REALLY excited to see this week and beyond. There seems to be a particular breeze blowing this week– evil, the occult, and seduction. Our picks this week will have your blood boiling and your back hair curling. Seen on film this week are death cults, Oxford boys, and murderous brother-sister lovers– all equally horrifying in their own ways. Pro tip: Wear sunglasses so you can avoid covering your eyes, that way your date won’t be ashamed he or she is accompanying a baby wussy pants to the cinema. Good luck out there, kids!
Witchcraft 70
A 1970s documentary about witchcraft and occult practices across the world? Yes, please! We seriously can’t think of a better use of your time, seeing as occultism is as potent as ever and that if you live in Bushwick you probably, definitely share a building with at least one self-described witch. Spectacle Theater writes of the film: “Anton Lavey makes an entirely-suspected appearance, various black masses, voodoo practices, Baal worship, hippie cults, witches of all stripes and more, much much more.” We write: hell freaking yes. Saturday March 28th, midnight at Spectacle Theater: $5 at the door.
The Riot Club
Definitely go see The Riot Club, because who doesn’t love to watch rich jerks behave badly? See: Cruel Intentions, any political scandal ever. Add in the Brits’ inability to make anything look sexy, and you’ve got yourself a cringe-worthy hate watch that’ll make you thank your lucky star spangled banner you live in the Home of The Free and completely equal. Do I even have to tell you The Riot Club is set at Oxford University? Didn’t think so. But be happy it is because there’s a lot of clumsy, awkward dialogue related to driving this point home with the viewers. “We’re at the top university in the world and so are 20,000 other people, but there are no more than 10 in the Riot Club,” one billionaire boy muses. Friday March 27th through Tuesday March 31st at IFC Center: $14
Paranoia
The Giallo Fever series brought to you by Anthology Film Archives continues at a venue where you can drink beer! Nitehawk! As part of the series, Nitehawk’s hosting two very special midnight screenings of Paranoia (aka Orgasmo) in 35mm. Part one of filmmaker Umberto Lenzi’s Giallo Sexy trilogy, Paranoia follows a recently widowed American actress on her trip to Italy where she becomes the object of a creepy, incestuous love fixation of siblings played by Lou Castel and Colette Descombes. Ew guys. This film guarantees screams and you can probably bet on at least a few knifings and certainly a blood bath or two. Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, midnight at Nitehawk: $11
It Follows
Gotta love teen horror, and It Follows certainly looks to be an instant classic for the genre — and something of a throwback, even. The music recalls Friday the 13th and the plot is thankfully more spooky and less slasher than if Mike Meyers had his way. Teen hero Jay hooks up with a dude who end up being a total creep. “This thing, it’s gonna follow you,” he tells her. The only way to get rid of this “thing,” he explains, is if Jay passes it along to someone else. Sounds like a metaphor for STIs? Perhaps. We won’t ruin all the fun. Thursday, March 26 through Tuesday, March 31 at Angelika Film Center: $14.50
