| A C.H.U.D. dreaming of OLD CHUB. Turns out the subterranean mutant breweries are lacking in quality |
Capitalizing on the opportunity for a better-than-average post title, I sought out the 1984 cult classic C.H.U.D. specifically to drop C.H.U.D. and CHUB onto the same line. My work is done. I can go home now.
Actually, I already am at home, and I have a confession. I Mangus, Movie Monster Extraordinaire, had never seen this classic of horror camp before this viewing.
If you are old enough to have been into monster movies in the 80's, you knew of C.H.U.D., whether you had seen it or not. If younger, you might not know it at all. C.H.U.D. worked its way into tons of pop culture references in the 80's, a meme before the word "meme" had entered popular vernacular. Offering a solid joke base for every occasion, C.H.U.D. was simply fun to mention, maybe because it was fun to say.
Plot wise, pretty much all you need to know is this is a movie about subterranean mutants living under NYC. Our hero is a photographer who has been documenting homelessness in the city, particularly people living in the underground subways and tunnels. One of the risks of this profession is sometimes getting pulled into C.H.U.D.-related situations. It happens. C.H.U.D. is perhaps an acronym for Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dweller, but it may stand for something else. What? Forget it, no spoilers from Mangus for this 30+ old movie.
Is it a terrible movie? No matter how you answer, you're gonna get slammed by someone who disagrees with you. It certainly has maintained a cult status. I will say it doesn't shy away from giving you full-fledged movie monsters, and however ridiculous they are with their glowing eyes, there's something exceptionally satisfying in getting old-school special effects monsters not done with CGI. Well, satisfying to me. I totally enjoyed watching this.
Plus, you've got Daniel Stern six years before he would crunch barefoot over broken ornaments in Home Alone, John Heard, 29 years before he showed up as George in Sharknado, and a cameo by John Goodman, four years before he would become the dad on the Roseanne Show but the same year he starred as Coach Harris in Revenge of the Nerds.
Listen, I know 1984 was a good many years ago, but in watching C.H.U.D. I was caught off-guard by how dated the music sounded. Did everything sound like that back then? Did I sound that way back then? I don't remember it that way, but whatever the case, I dug the C.H.U.D. soundtrack. How 80's is it? The music was done by a 24-year-old David A. Hughes (under the name Cooper Hughes), who was in the 80's synth band O.M.D. (Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark).The music went a long way to making the movie for me.
If you are a monster movie fan, you don't demand every movie you watch be dirt serious, AND, like me, somehow got through life so far without seeing C.H.U.D., add this to your essentials list. Whether you view it as charming nostalgia or "what the hell were they doing in the 80s?" research, C.H.U.D. is movie monster legacy.
Oskar Blues Brewery OLD CHUB Scotch Ale
| Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Beer? |
So the question is, which came first for me, C.H.U.D. or CHUB? Truthfully, it was the ale, brewed by Colorado's Oskar Blues Brewery. Before I even pulled in the drive with my OLD Chub, the name had already reminded me of C.H.U.D., long on my must-see-someday list. Through the magic of Hulu, I was able to instantly stream it that night.
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Falling into the "wee heavies" category, this beer has punch at 8%. American Scotch Ales is a category that I get in the mood for sometimes, just like I inexplicably get a taste for Stouffer's French Bread Pizzas about once a year. OLD CHUB has an initial sweet, molasses tone and the tiniest hint of smokiness, something that still seems odd coming from a can. (I think Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale was the first craft beer I ever had in a can).
If I was only about the rhyme, I could have opted with C.H.U.D. with Bud, but where's the fun in that? There's plenty of fun to be had with Old Chub, even if that sounds perverted. This is a tasty, hearty stew of a beer, and, don't judge me for my strange comparison, the sweetness somehow reminds me of caramel corn, in a good way. While you might want to avoid suggesting an Old Chub for your date or significant other for fear of sending an unintended message, it's a perfect beer to keep on hand for all your subterranean monster adventures.
