“She had a tough life. She said to me once, “I wouldn't have minded if I’d gone to jail. I think that would be a nice place to retire.” And she wasn't kidding. They would take care of her. Wow, Edie – aim higher! But she was in jail – she wasn't someone you’d ever imagine had been in jail, because if there was ever a person without a mean bone in her body, it was Edith. Except when she drank: then she’d turn completely and get mean. “I hate eggs!” I only saw her drunk a couple of times. She knew it wasn't a good idea.”
/ John Waters reminiscing about Edith Massey in my epic 2010 interview with him for Nude magazine /
Snaggle-toothed punk granny, thrift shop proprietress and “outsider actress” Edith “Edie” Massey (28 May 1918 - 24 October 1984) – perhaps the most beloved of all John Waters’ freaky repertory troupe of actors – died on this day forty years ago. Massey made her film debut in Waters’ early “gutter film” Multiple Maniacs (1970). Her final appearance (for Waters) was as cleaning lady-turned-debutante Cuddles Kovinsky in Polyester (1981). Massey’s most treasured performances – as Mama Edie the Egg Lady in Pink Flamingos (1972), Aunt Ida in Female Trouble (1974) and Queen Carlotta in Desperate Living (1977) – will live forever. Massey and Divine onscreen together is probably my all-time favourite comedy double act (like Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz for freaks and punks). Crank up “Punks Get off the Grass” (or her covers of “Fever” or “Big Girls Don’t Cry”), eat a hard-boiled egg and use “rah sha sha” in a sentence today in Massey’s honour.
THE MONKEY (2025) – REVIEW
⚠️ Possible Spoilers & Horror film – not for everyone, quite gory.
Okay, so I watched this mainly out of curiosity (and for Theo James, let’s be honest), even though the IMDb rating was pretty low… and honestly? It was kind of fun. It felt like a simplified and chaotic Final Destination, with bizarrely elaborate and random deaths popping off one after the other. Very silly, very over the top, and I sort of enjoyed that? But also yes, the Monkey is creepy.
Yes, the deaths were totally unrealistic and laughable, and no, I didn’t really understand the how or the why behind the monkey’s choices. I kept hoping for some deeper meaning or logic behind it all, but… nothing. Either I missed something, or they just didn’t bother explaining. It’s a shame, because in Final Destination, it kind of made sense. Here? The only logic seemed to be “if you turn the key, you don’t die.” I think there was a sort of family lineage thing going on, but then random people around them also died, so I don’t know. Honestly.
Also, why was everyone so calm?? People around them kept dying in gruesome ways, and Hal (Theo James) just… accepted it? Moved on?? Even his son barely reacted. He was more upset about not being told his dad had a twin brother than about all the people dying around them. (He was a bit of a brat, I must say, not a fan of his character.) That really bugged me, it pulled me out of the story a bit.
That said, if you're in the mood for a no-brain-needed horror flick that's more chaotic than actually scary, this works. I had fun with it. Just don’t expect logic or depth.
Apparently, the trailer got people hyped, which might be why so many felt let down by the film itself. I didn’t watch the trailer, and maybe that’s why I enjoyed it more than most. So my advice? Skip the trailer and go in with zero expectations.
Overall rating: 6/10
Not good, not awful, just fun horror chaos with Theo James being cute in glasses. Worth a watch if you want something light and messy.
Please do THE PROPOSAL PART 6 PLEASE
Part 13 of the Proposal AU was here; Here's Part 14!
“When’s the last time you cried?” Debbie pressed,
Part 14 linked above; Here's Part 15:
“I think that’s enough questioning for now,” Debbie grimaced, moving Lou out of her father’s line of vision. “This is a party. Not an interrogation.”
“Yes, it is a party!” Ida sang, coming into the circle that was now dispersing uncomfortably. “An engagement party at that! And we need to know the story.”
“What story?” A younger man asked, a piece of ciabatta toast dangling from his lips.
“Fuck,” Debbie cursed, her hand falling limp against Lou’s side.
“Oh, Rusty!” Ida sang. “Deborah, did you see who came?”
“Robert,” Debbie growled, her nails digging into Lou’s arm as the blonde shot her an intrigued look. “Who invited you?”
“Your dad,” he laughed, licking at his thumb, offering the now saliva ridden hand to Lou. “Who else? And you must be Lewis.”
“It’s Lou,” the blonde seethed, nostrils flaring. “Have you seen Debbie’s ring?” She asked, shoving the diamond in the man’s face as his eyebrows disappeared into his hairline.
The man let out a low whistle as he eyed the ring, another piece of ciabatta appearing from nowhere that he started chewing on noisily. Lou watched him with disgust as he crunched on it, licking his fingertips to clean off the crumbs that had fallen, but missing several that clung to his chest.
“Have to admit,” he chuckled. “Hell of a lot nicer than the one I gave Bee. Maybe if I’d have splurged for one this nice, she’d still be with me. Right, Deb?” He laughed, elbowing her in the side as the brunette shriveled up beside Lou.
The blonde flashed her a confused look and Debbie wanted the ground to open up and swallow her hole. They had just agreed to go about this as a team and be as honest to each other as two pathological liars committing a scheme could possibly be.
“Lou,” Debbie swallowed. She cleared her throat, her eyes tearing as if she was holding back a choke. She seemed to be equally surprised at the man’s appearance. “This is Robert Ryan. Better known as Rusty.”
“Andddddd?” He prompted, elbowing her again as Lou sneered. Debbie didn’t need Lou to voice the words out loud to know that the blonde wanted to punch him in the face.
“We used to um…date,” Debbie provided.
“We were an inch from husband and wife, Bee,” he smirked. “But I guess I was a bit too man for her, huh?”
Debbie reached for Lou’s hand, neither sure if it was for comfort or to keep Lou from actually slapping him now.
“You were his fiancee?” Lou asked quietly, the air awkward around them and the small crowd who still was gathered beside them.
“Not quite,” Debbie whispered. “I turned him down.”
The relief was visible on Lou’s face, but she nodded curtly.
“Rusty, I thought you were in LA now?” Debbie asked, the color starting to return to her face.
“Moved back home maybe six months ago? Teaching at the local school.”
“You’re a teacher?” Lou asked, eyebrow arched in surprise.
“Music class,” he grinned, miming playing the guitar for a second. “I was out in LA with my band on tour but—“
“An eleven guy band,” Debbie coughed.
“Right,” he grinned. “Wanted to have the biggest rock band the world’s ever seen. Didn’t go over well so thought we might change things up again.”
“Better once you got it down to just a few guys?” Lou asked, a smirk playing at her lips as she regained control of the conversation. She clearly knew he was no winner in this story if he’d recently moved back home. It didn’t exactly paint the story of smooth success.
“You’d think right?” He grinned. “Nah we bumped it up to twelve and no dice so we went for thirteen. Lucky 13, right? Shit fell apart. So now I’m back here. Didn’t think I’d have the chance to see Bee though.”
“You’ve seen me,” Debbie nodded. “Rusty.”
She tried to move away from him, trying to usher Lou past her father and grandmother, hellbent on making their escape to eat their snacks in peace like they’d originally intended. But they weren’t so lucky.
“Rusty and Debbie were quite the couple,” Dennis unhelpfully provided, squeezing Debbie and Rusty’s shoulders and Lou awkwardly got sandwiched between. “High school sweethearts.”
“I think high school sweethearts is technically only if you stay together,” Lou mumbled as Debbie let out a snort.
“Feels like yesterday to me,” Dennis continued.
“Well, it seems like a lifetime to me, dad,” Debbie hissed.
“No need to fight, friends,” Rusty held his hands up. “Tell us, Bee. I’m sure your grandma wants to hear everything. Was it love at first sight?”
“Not exactly,” Debbie admitted.
“I’ll give Rusty that,” Grandma Ida smiled, grabbing Lou’s hands. “I must know how you proposed, Lou, my dear. I mean, I assume it was you? I apologize if that’s not how it works. I love my dear Deborah, I just can’t quite imagine our little Debbie taking it upon herself to ask and since she has the ring I just—I’ll stop before I put my foot in my mouth. But please, do tell us.”
“Go ahead, baby,” Debbie smiled wickedly. “I know how much you love telling it. And with such vivid detail too. You’re in for a treat, grandma!”
“We’ll see,” Dennis grumbled, looking at Lou with squints eyes before he threw back the rest of his drink.
