In an era where streaming services dominate the entertainment landscape, Tubi stands out by offering a diverse and expansive library of films at no cost to its users. With its eclectic mix of genres and eras, Tubi presents a unique opportunity for movie enthusiasts to explore hidden gems and revisit classics. Clearly curated by true cinephiles, their catalogue promises not just entertainment, but a broadened cinematic horizon. Whether you’re a fan of indie flicks, blockbuster hits, or cult classics, Tubi’s extensive library ensures that there’s always something new and exciting to watch. Join us as we delve into the adventure of watching a movie a week on Tubi, where hopefully you find your new favorite movie or at least an interesting gem worth recommending.
Mom (1991)
What a difference a title can make for a film’s success. I’m guessing one of the reasons you’ve never heard of this movie is because of its boring, nondescript title. Now if it was called Momster instead, you would’ve saw it yesterday. That’s the kind of attention grabbing evocative title that puts asses in seats. It tells the audience that there’s a mom in it and that mom is either a literal or figurative monster. It creates wonder. What kind of monster is it? Mom doesn’t provide any of that. It’s a boring title and this movie deserves a much better one. A kind, elderly woman provides a nomad with room and board but It turns out that he is a ghoul in disguise who’s responsible for a string of recent killings. After he bites the elderly woman, she herself turns into a monster with a taste for human flesh. After discovering this fact, her son must now prevent her from eating anymore homeless while also dealing with the nomad who isn’t a fan of the interference. My Mother’s a Werewolf done dead seriously, Mom does some interesting things and has a pretty great dilemma at the center of it but its ultimately brought down by that awful title. Momster was right there.
My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To (2020)
If you skipped My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To because the title gives you images of pretentious indie music from the mid ’00s, I don’t blame you. It definitely sounds like the name of an album from that time. But I promise you, this movie is anything but hipster. It’s an atmospheric and emotionally charged indie horror film that explores the dynamics of a dysfunctional family caught in a nightmarish situation. Two brothers – Dwight (Patrick Fugit) and Jessie (Ingrid Sophie Schram), are tasked with caring for their younger brother, Thomas (Owen Campbell). Thomas suffers from a mysterious condition that requires him to drink human blood to survive, making him a sort of modern-day vampire. To keep him alive, Dwight and Jessie are forced to go to extreme and morally compromising lengths, including killing innocent people. The story unfolds as the siblings struggle with the emotional and psychological toll of their situation, with Dwight particularly burdened by the weight of their actions. The film is suffused with a bleak, oppressive tone that reflects the characters’ despair and isolation. The muted color palette, sparse settings, and minimalist score contribute to a sense of claustrophobia and inevitability. This is not a traditional horror film with jump scares or overtly supernatural elements; instead, it relies on mood and tension to unsettle the viewer. This belongs in the “being a vampire is a drag” subgenre, a subgenre in desperate need of more titles.
The Curse of Kazuo Umezu (1990)
Technically a short by Western standards, The Curse of Kazuo Umezu is a 43 minute long OVA (Original Video Animation) but since I have no idea how to classify those, I shoved it on this list, instead of the 100 Greatest Horror Shorts or the 100 Greatest Animated Shorts lists. I wrote those lists forever ago. That’s how long I’ve been waiting to recommend this movie. The Curse of Kazuo Umezu is a Japanese horror anthology that adapts the works of Kazuo Umezu, one of Japan’s most influential horror manga artists. Known for his eerie and unsettling stories, Umezu’s work has had a significant impact on the horror genre, and this OVA captures the essence of his dark imagination. The first story follows a young girl named Miko, who moves into a new house with her family. She soon discovers that the house has a terrifying secret. With creepy imagery and and an oppressive atmosphere, the story steadily builds to a horrifying revelation. The second story centers on a schoolgirl who has an intense fear of her closet. As the story progresses, her fear becomes increasingly justified, leading to a shocking and disturbing climax. Fans of Umezu’s manga will appreciate how closely the OVA sticks to the source material. The stories retain the same disturbing and grotesque elements that are characteristic of Umezu’s work, with minimal alterations to the plot or tone. This faithfulness helps preserve the unique flavor of his distinct brand of horror, which often blends the mundane with the macabre. If you’re not a fan of his manga, this is a great introduction to his work.
*Sailor lied this isn’t on Tubi, so I linked to the YouTube
Something Weird (1967)
The poster for this movie is better than anything in it. It’s super low budget and cheesy, but with a title like Something Weird you know exactly what you are getting into…I think. But here’s the gist of it all:
When an electrical accident leaves a man disfigured, he strikes a deal with a witch who grants him extraordinary powers in telekinesis and ESP.
– K. Alvarez
Def By Temptation (1990)
If you Google “blaxploitation horror films”, you’ll get classics like Blacula, Sugar Hill, J.D’s Revenge and Tales from the Hood. Lesser known titles such Petey Wheatstraw, the Devil’s Son-in-Law, Bones and Abby will also pop up. Def by Temptation is no where to be found and I’m unclear as to why. It was released within the blaxploitation bubble (it came out six years before Original Gangstas, the sub-genres swan song), but more importantly, it’s both horror and blaxploitation. Directed by James Bond III, who also stars in the film, is the story of a young divinity student named Joel who visits New York City, where he encounters a seductive and deadly succubus. The film excels in creating a moody and eerie atmosphere, enhanced by its urban setting. The use of low lighting, shadowy interiors, and vibrant colors gives the film a surreal, nightmarish quality. It’s a style reminiscent of 1970s horror but with a distinctive early ’90s twist. The performances are solid, with standout roles from Samuel L. Jackson, who plays a brief but memorable role, and Kadeem Hardison, who brings a grounded presence as Joel’s cousin, K. James Bond III gives a decent performance, though his dual role as director and star sometimes leads to uneven pacing. The film isn’t perfect but like every other film within the genre, it succeeds more than it fails.
These are our Tubi Movies of the Week. Have you seen any of them? Did you watch them on Tubi? Sound off in the comments!
