Bears, Horror, & Halloween

The horror movie genre was what got me hooked into film.  I think one of the main reason why I loved the genre was because it made me feel “normal” and “less evil” for being gay.  I am somewhat outgrowing the horror movie genre, but it will always have a special place in my heart.  Anyway, for this Halloween season, here are just some completely random horror films that just so happen to have some bearish actors in them…

Scream was the film that gave the horror genre a revitalizing kick in the behind.  It was a self-aware parody while giving the “goods” of a slasher film.  The bearish character above is W. Earl Brown (seen eating a bag of Cheetos and Tostitos) minutes before his demise.  (Rule #85: Eating more than one type of junk food in the span of 3 minutes will get you killed.)  Not only is Mr. Brown an actor, but he also has a country music group called the Sacred Cowboys.

Bruce M. Fischer and Richard Davalos were two of the husky daddy bears in one of my favorite childhood supernatural horror films, Something Wicked This Way Comes.  To this day, it’s an effective horror/dark fantasy film that did not rely on cheap scares but on great writing, acting, and excellent directing.

Tony Munafo appears in the first of three stories in one of my favorite horror movie anthology: Stephen King’s Cat’s Eye (Creepshow being my ultimate favorite).  He played a thug for a mafia-run company helping people kick their smoking addiction.  I remember thinking how perfect this bearish man was when I was just 12 years old…

No Way To Treat A Lady is more of a thriller, but, hey, it’s just a technicality because it was a fantastic hybrid of dark comedy and suspense.  It is also a compelling character piece from Rod Steiger, who was utterly mesmerizing and chilling as a chameleon-like serial killer preying on women.

Now here’s a nasty piece of no-holds-barred splatterpunk cinema from France: À l’intérieur (Inside).  This is what I would call a concentrated piece of truly terrifying filmmaking.  It’s unapologetic with its violence and masochistic treatment of its characters.  Loved it.  I’ve already posted about the unbelievably handsome husky actor, Ludovic Berthillot, who had a very unfortunate short scene in the film.

Feast surprised me for being way too fun and highly entertaining for a monster flick.  It reminded me of another horror-comedy-monster classic, Tremors.  Duane Whitaker plays the slimy owner of a bar where all of the frenetic action takes place.

Russell Hornsby was hilarious as a cowering boyfriend/wannabe gangsta in the horror-comedy, Stuck.  Even though it was hard to buy Mena Suvari’s “turn” from a humane nurse to an inhuman monster, it was a dark parable of what certain situations can do to the human spirit.  This film explores such nasty side and it was definitely not pretty…

Salem’s Lot is one of my favorite vampire movies.  These vampires were very traditional and would probably be very angry at the more recent hip vampires on tv and film today.  I have nothing against hip vampires, but sometimes, I just want my vampires to be completely evil… and conservative.  ^_^  The super-cute chubby bear, George Dzundza, is also in the film which is a big bonus in my book.

Well, that about wraps up my random horror movie picks that just so happen to have bearish actors in them.  You gals and ghouls have a safe and spooky Halloween!

Andre “Doc” Newman (as Maggot) from The Dead Hate The Living!