annabelle - 0/5
this is so bland and generic. it is absent of scares or atmosphere or tension. how did this make so much money? it's also boring. this is kind of emblematic about everything wrong with horror movies. this really might be the worst horror movie I have seen lately. which is saying something, because I have watched some garbage this month in an attempt to try and see 31 new horror movies. it's just so bad. and they made a sequel to this? if this is what young people think is scary, get off my lawn.
A prequel, actually, and it's far better than the original.
10/1 - Piranha (1978)
10/2 - A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 The Dream Master (1988)
10/3 - Psycho (1960)
10/5 - Christine (1983)
10/6 - Piranha II The Spawning (aka Piranha II Flying Killers) (1982)
10/7 - Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)
10/7 - Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (1968)
10/8 - The Evil Dead (1982)
10/9 - Taste The Blood Of Dracula (1970)
10/10 - Carrie (1976)
10/11 - Evil Dead II (1987)
10/12 - The Exorcist (1973)
10/13 - Army of Darkness (1993)
10/14 - Psycho II (1983)
10/15 - The City of the Dead (aka Horror Hotel) (1960)
Okay, so this one I do not own on blu-ray... I actually DVR'd it off of TCM last week and got around to watching it last night. I've seen public domain VHS and DVDs of it in bargain bins over the years but this was my first time watching the film (the TCM broadcast thankfully used a good quality print with the original City of the Dead title on it).
It was a somewhat quaint but quite atmospheric little film about a small New England town that is cursed by witches. Some reviewers have noted parallels in the story structure with Psycho, but my thoughts during the film were to another Christopher Lee classic, The Wicker Man, with which it has some similarities in terms of strangers arriving at an unusual, "non-Christian" town where they seem to be out of the loop as to what's really going on and are oblivious to the danger that their lives are in. While some of the plot twists are really quite obvious, at 78 minutes it does not overstay its welcome.
The Orphanage (2007) A well-made, creepy, slow burn Spanish horror film. Very effective, and surprisingly moving at the end. This got our annual MonsterFest off to a great start! Village Of The Damned (1960) Hadn't seen this in a few years. I forgot how very well-made and effective it is. Terrific movie, and a great looking new blu-ray from Warner Archive. *The Devil's Daughter (1973) 1/2 (YouTube) My wife and I are old enough to have seen a lot of silly 70's TV movies as kids and we have a soft-spot for them. This is a completely predictable "Rosemary's Baby" rip-off -- campy, and a LOT of nostalgic fun. Decent cast too, with Shelly Winters, Joseph Cotton and a post "Dark Shadows" Jonathon Frid. We liked it ... but if you grew up after the '70's, you'll want to knock a couple of skulls off. The Dead Zone (1983) Easily my favorite SK adaptation -- great story, great cast. Brooke Adams is beautiful! A favorite. Imported the Australian blu-ray. A little disappointing. The audio is definitely an upgrade, and the picture is too, but it's subtle. Ghost Story (1981) 1/2 Another old favorite. I'm a sucker for slow-burn, well-crafted ghost stories ... and this one has those qualities in spades. Cool to see these old-time actors -- the cast is excellent -- along side Alice Krige, who is perfection as Eva/Alma. Loses half a star for over-reliance on shock cuts to gooey dead faces. They get a bit repetitive after a while, and they're not necessary in this movie -- it's strength is "eerie", not shock. *The Little Stranger (2018) theatrical Gee, I wanted to love this. It looked like the kind of subtle ghost story that's right up my alley, but I guess even subtle can be overdone. EVERYTHING is laid between the lines, to the point that I really didn't understand what happened in the film. Had to read about it afterwards to figure out what I missed. Good premise, well made and well acted ... but it needs at least a LITTLE more overt storytelling. A big disappointment. *Cronos (1993) :1/2 This didn't do much for me either. Some nice moments early on, but mostly gooey and pointless. *sigh* *Cat Creature (1973) youtube 1/2 OK, I knew this wasn't going to be good, but I thought it would be entertaining. As I said (see: The Devil's Daughter) I have a fondness for campy 70's TV movie horror. I don't mind if they're silly, over-acted, unbelievable ... but this one was dull. How do you take a plot about a 2,000 year old cat creature stalking Los Angeles and make it boring? Simple: all "cop investigation" and very little cat. Interesting cast though -- Peter Lorre Jr? Who knew? (NOTE: OK, this is weird! Peter Lorre Jr wasn't related to Peter Lorre! Check this out: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0521137/bio) The Grudge (2004) 1/2 The best of the 4 we saw this weekend ... and the only one I had seen before. Not a great movie by any means, but fun and entertaining. (Are you listening, Cat Creature?) The Fog (1980) A favorite, and IMO, one of JC's best films. However, I might skip this one for the next few years. No fault of the movie, but I've seen it many times and it's become so familiar that it didn't do as much for me this year. Still, it earns it's 4 skulls. Asylum (1972) Boy, did I enjoy this! Never had the DVD, so I hadn't seen it since the VHS days. I love all the old Amicus anthologies, and although I had forgotten some of it, this is one of the best. The wrap around story is much better than most, and each tale worked quite well. Decent blu-ray too -- some nice extras. Silence Of The Lambs (1991) What a powerful movie this is. Jody Foster and, especially, Anthony Hopkins are so perfect in their roles. Controlled, understated, underplayed and completely chilling. Also, for a film with such gruesome subject matter, it's surprisingly restrained -- it's dark and oppressive, but most of the violence is off-screen. A smart, well-made, grim thriller. My wife and I tend to stick to lighter, "fun" horror movies, but this one is too good to miss. *Ghost Stories (2018) 1/2 I can't stop thinking about this movie! Too many jump scares perhaps, but there is a lot more here than shock. This film demands to be watched closely with no distractions, and the closer you watch, the more you'll get out of it. Plus, it's a lot of fun! I hate it when people say "You didn't get it" if you don't like a certain movie. However, in this case, if all you see is what's in plain sight ... you didn't get it. Or at least you missed the best part. A new classic. Trick Or Treat (2007) 1/2 I love the way this movie looks, and the way the stories intertwine. I like the Sam character, and all the Halloween iconography too. It's a fun film, that loses half a skull for me for being a bit too sleazy in spots. (Really don't enjoy hearing a 10 year old say "butt-f***.") Still, very enjoyable. The Funhouse (1981) 1/2 This gets off to a really lunk-headed start -- dumb characters, cheesy dialogue -- but once they get inside the funhouse and the main story starts, it really goes! We see the "monster" close enough and long enough to realize that it's an immobile mask, but this works as a fun, simple horror movie. Captures the whole garish carnival atmosphere nicely too. Turn off your brain and go for a ride. *Unsane (2018) (Amazon streaming) 1/2 This has ... *ahem* ... a few problems. It's impossible to like the main character -- she's obnoxious -- and it's really, really far-fetched. Unless, of course, she imagined the whole thing (which I tend to believe. She's obviously nuts.) I like the ambiguity of the ending, but this was pretty "meh.". The most impressive thing was that the whole movie was shot on an iPhone! Looked pretty good too. Near Dark (1987) I've always liked this one -- it's a really cool reworking of the whole vampire mythology. Great cast -- Lance Henriksen is amazing. So is Bill Paxton -- first time I've seen it since he died. Funny that neither of the leads, Adrian Pasdar (Caleb) or Jenny Wright (Mae), went on to much movie success. They're both quite good -- and she was gorgeous! A favorite ... even if the whole
[Show spoiler]"vampires are cured by a transfusion" idea
is a little unconvincing! Repulsion (1965) 1/2 This movie takes its time -- there's a lot of mundane details of our main character's life. But there's also a growing sense of unease, the sense that things are not right. By the final third of the movie, she has left all reality behind and what happens is all the more shocking because the first half of the film is so restrained. Maybe not a "fun" movie -- but a disturbing and effective portrait of mental illness. Very chilling. Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) I've seen this many times, but I still have such mixed emotions about it! It's fun to watch, and as eye-candy it's an easy 5 skulls, but as an adaptation of Dracula ... well, it's far more concerned with over-the-top style than substance. It's fun (and occasionally very good, when it calms down a bit) but I wish more of the talent and money had been aimed at the story instead of the flash. (Although it's fun to watch Keanu's hair constantly change color!) The Fly (1986) 1/2 Watching this last night, I was really admiring it -- it has a literate, witty script, great performances and incredible make-up. I always forget how good it really is. Then the final act hits and pulls me out of the movie. All the sympathy the film has built for the characters is forgotten under a ton of (incredibly well-done) gore. It's still fun in a "Ewww! Look at that!" way, but it's so much more than that before the ick hits the fan. A 5 skull movie that loses 1 and 1/2 under the glop. (Fun fact: I never noticed before that Jeff G says "Help Me, please help me" to Geena D -- that must be a nod to the original film.) A Quiet Place (2018) 1/2 Who would have thought that a PG-13 film with no profanity, no gore, and no nudity would become such a big hit -- and be so intense? When this came out last spring it was a real breath of fresh air, and it plays just as well at home. Incredibly fun old-school monster movie with an amazing sound design. Yeah, it's got a few plot holes ... but who cares? The most fun I've had at a monster movie in ages. Psycho (1960) Not a lot to say about this movie, except that it still holds up. Big time. It doesn't matter that everyone knows the reveal -- the acting, the cinematography, the tight construction all really work. Why on earth didn't Tony Perkins get nominated for an Oscar? A classic that I admire more every time I see it. *Psycho IV (1990) A first time watch, and a disappointing one. The worst of the sequels by a long shot, and surprisingly, where it fails most is the writing. Joseph Stefano, who did the original Psycho script, also wrote this, but it has some truly cringe-worthy dialogue. ("That's all that thing of yours is for, making wee-wee!") Sadly there was potential here, and a few decent ideas, and even a decent moment or two, but it never takes off. It's always good to see Anthony Perkins as Norman, and it's worth owning just for that, but Tony AND Norman both deserved a far better farewell. City Of The Dead (1960) Quick! Name the movie: a 1960 black and white thriller with a pretty blonde that stays in a lonely hotel, and disappears from the movie halfway through after being
[Show spoiler]stabbed to death by the owner.
The second half of the film has her sibling searching for her and finding out the shocking truth about the innkeeper. Psycho, you say? Nope. City Of The Dead! A fun, old school horror movie with fantastic atmosphere, and Christopher Lee to boot. A low-budget, but very effective and eerie little film, with an especially chilling prologue set in the 1700's. A real Halloween treat, and a great blu-ray too! Fade To Black (1980) : (Amazon Prime) I'm tempted to call this a first viewing -- it's been over 30 years, and I didn't remember much of it ... if I had, I wouldn't have watched again. There's actually a very good idea here: a movie obsessed kid, killing his enemies in the style of characters from films. There are several cool movie clips, movie references and memorabilia, plus a few nice shots. And Dennis Christopher is pretty good. But everyone else is awful, and the script is a complete mess. A missed opportunity, but at least it was fun to watch. The House That Dripped Blood (1971) Another old Amicus anthology movie ... but one of the lesser ones. The best story is probably the third, about Christopher Lee and his voo-doo practicing daughter, but none of the four tales have quite the punch of the stories in Asylum, or Tales From The Crypt. Still, a good time ... and a wonderful blu-ray. Great colors on all those cheesy 70's era ascots that everyone wears in this. The Sentinel (1977) 1/2 Geez, what an incoherent mess! Very campy movie (with an amazing cast!) that tries really hard to horrify ... and misses. A few decent moments, but mostly silly. HOWEVER: If you've always wanted to see Beverly D'Angelo as a mute, nude, cymbal-playing, brain-eating lesbian from Hell ... this film gets my highest recommendation. The Undying Monster (1947) The first 15 minutes of this are so good, and so atmospheric and so well shot that it could easily give the best Universal horrors a run for their money. Unfortunately, it settles into a talky mystery film. It perks up near the end, but it never lives up to the promise of those wonderful opening scenes. Black Sabbath (Italian version - 1963) This is absolutely one of the best (and scariest!) anthology films ever made ... and the original Italian version is the way to see it. The American version completely rewrites one of the stories (The Telephone) to remove the lesbian element of the story. They did a clever editing job, but it's not the same story, and not as good. In the original, all three stories are really strong, and surprisingly creepy. The dead witch in A Drop Of Water is still frightening after all these years. Karloff is great as a Wurdalack (Romanian vampire) preying on his family. Sometimes They Come Back (1991) :1/2 Really enjoyable TV movie. Almost gave it 4 skulls because I really like the story and the film works well for me ...but there's enough cheese in it that 3 1/2 is more realistic. A great way to wrap up September!
PREVIOUSLY WATCHED IN OCTOBER
[Show spoiler]
Dark Night Of The Scarecrow (1981) 1/2 Started off October with a fun one. Not exactly a classic, but quite good for a 1981 TV movie. Lots of effective moments and a good story over-all. Surprisingly good blu-ray too. The Fly (1958) Hadn't seen this in a few years -- what a great movie! Watched the remake in September, and I have to admit, I prefer the original. The remake starts off incredibly well, but it gets lost in the gore. This movie, while cheesier, is just fun all the way through, and it really is well-constructed. The mystery framework is well done. I imagine audiences in the 50's did a lot of screaming at the big reveal and at the famous "help me!" scene. Favorite moment: When the cat disappears and you can still hear its "disembodied cat atoms" yowling. Bucket Of Blood (1960) 1/2 Campy, ultra low-budget fun from Roger Corman. This was one of his early quickies (and it shows) but it's quite enjoyable with a strong sense of humor. Dick Miller is great. Spider Baby (1967) 1/2 If ever a film deserved to be called a cult classic, it's Spider Baby. Lon Chaney is actually quite good, as are Jill Banner, Sid Haig and Beverly Washburn. Funny, sleazy, sexy and creepy all at once. No other film is quite like this. * Frankenstein (2004) 1/2 Really interesting TV adaptation of Mary Shelly's novel, supposedly the most faithful version. I've never read the book, so I enjoyed seeing how much it differed from the classic Karloff film. A few weak spots, and the monster is too normal looking for the horrified reactions he gets in the film, but it's a great story. Well worth watching. Straitjacket (1964) I had forgotten how cheesy this is! Fun, though. Over the hill Joan Crawford camping it up for William Castle, with severed heads-a-flyin'. What's not to love? A Game Of Death (1945) 1/2 Really interesting double feature last night -- the original Most Dangerous Game, and this film - it's remake, made 13 years later, by the same studio, even using quite a bit of the same footage! It's a very close remake, with one interesting plot change in the middle. It's was directed by Robert Wise at the beginning of his career. Pretty good! In fact I was going to give it 4 skulls ... until we watched the original afterwards: The Most Dangerous Game (1932) Very, very similar to it's remake ... but just better. More tightly paced, punchier, more style to the direction ... and it has the lovely Fay Wray. I liked the character of the brother better in the remake, but otherwise this version was the clear winner. An all-time classic thriller. Creepshow (1982) 1/2 Fun anthology that really captures that comic book feel. Steven King is very funny in it, and Hal Holbrook and Adrienne Barbeau are amusing too. Their story, The Crate, is the best in the film, although all the tales work well. Not as good a movie as Dead Of Night or Ghost Stories, but it's much more tongue in cheek than those and it's very successful at what it does. One of the better horror anthologies. Masque Of The Red Death (1964) What a great movie! Probably Roger Corman's best film. Price is wonderful, and the sets are fantastic. Great blu-ray too, with fantastic color. Might be a little padded in the middle (I'm talking to you, dream sequence) but it's still too good to get less than 5 skulls. It Follows (2015) 1/2 Whaddya know? An original idea in a horror movie! Very enjoyable - and creepy - film, with some interesting quirks to mull over. For example, when is this set? The kids watch old black and white movies on CRT TV's, phones have cords, and only one cell phone is ever seen but it seems contemporary in other ways. It's got a number of plot holes (like how does the first guy know what's going on when he thinks he "must have gotten it" from a one-night stand, who obviously didn't tell him) but it certainly works. One of the better horrors in recent years. * Magic (1978) (Amazon streaming) I actually saw this back in the 70's(!) when I was in high school, but I didn't remember any of it -- so I'm calling it a first time viewing. Good film! Anthony Hopkins is great. I expected this to be one of those "evil doll is really alive" films, but that's not what it is at all. A terrific, slow-burn suspense thriller. Well worth seeing -- I won't wait another 40 years to watch it again! Tales From The Crypt (1972) One of the best of the old Amicus anthologies. Every story is a winner. Joan Collins was quite the eyeful back in the day! Fun, fun movie -- and an excellent blu-ray! *Horror At 37,000 Feet (1973) (YouTube) Capt Kirk, Jed Clampett, the Rifleman, the Professor from Gilligan's Island and a few other out-of-work TV actors battle some oozing, chanting Druid glop on an airliner that's stuck in mid-air. Quality cheese! I can't help myself with these campy 70's TV horrors. Worth watching just to see the Shat as an alcoholic former priest who finds his faith again just in time to get thrown out of the airplane. * The Spiral Staircase (1945) 1/2 A first viewing, and I bet I will like it even better next time. It has style and atmosphere to spare, and a great gothic mood. Unfortunately, the story wasn't quite as impressive - after a wonderful opening not a lot happens until the end. Still, this was so well done that it was very enjoyable. Great PQ too! BTW - why this called The Spiral Staircase? There is one in the house, but it's certainly not central to the plot. The Vampire's Ghost (1945) 1/2 A fun little obscure B from the 40's. Really different for a vintage vampire movie -- it's set in the wilds of Africa, the vampire wears white, runs a bar and walks around in the daylight wearing sunglasses! Some low-budget shortcomings - mostly the acting from some of the supporting cast - but a good, and very original film. A nice change of pace, and a really beautiful blu-ray.
War Of The Worlds (1953) (DVD) A wonderfully well-made film with a smart script, fine performances, great color and fantastic special effects. I don't care that you can see the wires -- the ship design is ultra-cool and the models of Los Angeles are flawless. It's of it's time (especially the main female role -- she's there to be pretty and get rescued) but it's still full of wonder, and miles ahead of the Spielberg remake. I can't imagine how amazing this must have been in 1953. WHERE IS THE BLU-RAY?!
9/7 - The Nun (Theater Showing)
9/8 - Day of the Dead: Bloodline
9/10 - Verónica
9/28 - Killer Klowns from Outer Space
9/29 - BEDEVILED
9/30 - Cabin Fever (2016)
10/1 - All Hallows' Eve
10/2 - The Diabolical
10/3 - The First Purge
10/4 - Slaughter High
10/5 - Tales from the Hood
10/6 - Hell Fest (Theater Showing)
10/7 - Malevolent (2018 Netflix original movie)
10/8 - X-Ray
10/9 - Schizoid
10/10 - Hereditary
10/11 - Mischief Night (2013)
10/12 - Demonic
10/13 - Halloween (1978)
10/14 - 47 Meters Down
10/15 - The Sentinel (1977)
Documentaries:
10/6 - Haunters: The Art of the Scare
TV Shows:
9/8 - The Purge: Season 1 - Episode 1 - What Is America?
9/10 - Fear The Walking Dead: Season 4 - Episode 13 - Blackjack
9/11 - The Purge: Season 1 - Episode 2 - Take What's Yours
9/13 - American Horror Story: Season 8 - Episode 1 - The End
9/18 - Fear The Walking Dead: Season 4 - Episode 14 - MM54
9/18 - The Purge: Season 1 - Episode 3 - The Urge to Purge
9/24 - Fear The Walking Dead: Season 4 - Episode 15 - I Lose People ...
9/24 - American Horror Story: Season 8 - Episode 2 - The Morning After
9/25 - The Purge: Season 1 - Episode 4 - Release the Beast
9/26 - American Horror Story: Season 8 - Episode 3 - Forbidden Fruit
10/1 - Fear The Walking Dead: Season 4 - Episode 16 - ... I Lose Myself
10/3 - The Purge: Season 1 - Episode 5 - Rise Up
10/7 - American Horror Story: Season 8 - Episode 4 - Could It Be... Satan?
10/7 - The Walking Dead: Season 9 - Episode 1 - A New Beginning
10/10 - The Purge: Season 1 - Episode 6 - The Forgotten
Non-Horror Halloween:
9/29 - G.I. Joe: Season 3 - Episode 18 - The Phantom Brigade
9/29 - Duck Tales: Season 1- Episode 26 - Curse of Castle McDuck
01/10 - Mandy (2018)
01/10 - Blood Fest (2018)
01/10 - Stay Alive (2006)
02/10 - The Town That Dreaded Sundown (2014)
02/10 - IT (2017)
03/10 - Society (1989)
04/10 – Hellraiser (1987)
04/10 - Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)
05/10 - Ghostwatch (1992)
05/10 - Night Of The Demons (1988)
06/10 - The Prowler (1981) w/Joe Bob Briggs
06/10 - Psycho (1998)
06/10 - Psycho II (1983)
07/10 - Psycho III (1986)
08/10 - Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990)
09/10 – From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
09/10 – Urban Legend (1998)
10/10 - Urban Legends: Final Cut (2000)
11/10 - Kill Your Friends (2015)
11/10 - Severance (2006)
11/10 – Wrong Turn (2003)
12/10 – House On Haunted Hill (1999)
13/10 - The Funhouse (1981)
14/10 – The Addams Family (1991)
14/10 – Addams Family Vaues (1993)
15/10 – The Evil Dead (1981)
16/10 – Evil Dead II (1987)
Evil Dead II is everything you'd want. For me it is the quintessential Horror Comedy. This is the movie that brings the one-liners and the iconography of the franchise so when people think of the Evil Dead movies they think about Evil Dead II with the chainsaw, Deadite Ash, the fight with his hand, the laughing deer, Henrietta, his boomstick and so on. Classic.
10/15 Don't Breathe
I think this is my third time watching this...gets better with every viewing even tho I still can't with the
[Show spoiler]turkey baster
scene
I love Don't Breathe. It's a masterful thriller. I never thought there would be a home invasion thriller that would equal David Fincher's Panic Room and not only did Don't Breathe equal it but it might have even surpassed it.
I love Don't Breathe. It's a masterful thriller. I never thought there would be a home invasion thriller that would equal David Fincher's Panic Room and not only did Don't Breathe equal it but it might have even surpassed it.
I might be one of the few that didn't think the movie was all it was cracked up to be. Yes, it was tense and suspensful but the three lead characters were flat, hollow and unappealing. I really didn't care what happened to them plus the fact that the movie started to fall apart upon the third act.
You're not the only one who prefers the remake. I like the original film, but I much prefer how intense the remake is.
I watched The Crazies from The Between Night and Dawn boxset. I watched the other two films in the set, “There’s Always Vanilla” and “Season of the Witch” as well this month. I didn’t care for them very much, but I’d watch them again. The Crazies was the best out of the 3. The remake is one of the best new films I’ve seen this month, a solid 3.5/5 star film.
[Show spoiler]9/06/18: The Little Stranger * (2018):
9/07/18: The Nun * (2018):
9/10/18: Predator (1987):
9/11/18: Predator 2 (1990):
9/12/18: Predators (2010):
9/14/18:The Predator * (2018):
9/21/18: Fade To Black * (1980):
9/23/18: The Hidden (1987):
9/24/18: Season Of The Witch * (1972):
9/25/18: Assassination Nation * (2018):
9/27/18: Thriller (1983): The House With A Clock In Its Walls * (2018):
10/01/18: Night School * (1981): Body Bags * (1993): Pumpkinhead * (1988):
10/02/18: Raising Cain (1992): Split (2017):
10/03/18: Eyes Of A Stranger * (1981): Hell Fest * (2018): Someone's Watching Me! (1978):
10/04/18: Misery (1990):
10/05/18: X: The Man With The X-Ray Eyes * (1963): Body Parts * (1991):
10/06/18: Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2011): Island Claws * (1980): The Bride * (1985):
10/07/18: Carrie (1976): The Fury (1978): Jennifer * (1978):
10/08/18: Twice-Told Tales * (1963): All The Boys Love Mandy Lane * (2006): Hideaway * (1995):
10/09/18: Dracula (Spanish version, 1931): Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992):
10/10/18: ParaNorman (2012): Dr. Giggles * (1992): The Cabin In The Woods (2012):
10/11/18: The Omen (1976): Damien: Omen II (1978): The Final Conflict: Omen III (1981):
10/12/18: Corpse Bride (2005): Hush (2016): A Quiet Place (2018):
10/13/18: Trick ‘r Treat (2009): Ghost Stories * (2018):
10/14/18: The Mephisto Waltz * (1971): Dark Shadows (2012):
10/15/18: Night Of The Creeps (1986): Slither (2006):
10/16/18:
Gillman! You’re up…!
-Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954):
-The Monster Squad (1987):
Took in some aquatic frights with one of Universal’s more enduring classic monsters. In 1954’s The Creature From The Black Lagoon, we’re introduced to the Gillman for the first time, a scaly, primordial beastie from the depths of the Amazon that a group of meddling scientists disturb during a research expedition…but saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, once G.M. gets an eyeful of the fetching Kay Lawrence (the outrageously gorgeous Julia Adams, the Jennifer Connelly of the 50’s) in a spectacular, white one-piece swimsuit, he’s hopelessly smitten. Directed by B-movie specialist Jack Arnold, Creature is a film that holds up beautifully, with genuine tension, beautifully-shot underwater sequences (a scene with Adams taking a dip in the titular Lagoon, while the Gillman witnesses in rapt awe from below, was definitely an influence on the famous opening sequence from Steven Spielberg’s Jaws) an appropriately shrill musical score (penned by an uncredited team including – yes – Henry Mancini) and one of the most enduring monster designs of all time. And while the Gillman may have had his advances rebuffed here (he’d also re-emerge in two inferior sequels), he finally found love in last year’s Best Picture winner The Shape Of Water, which proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Gillman has nards.
Speaking of monster testes, 1987’s The Monster Squad is an irresistible Monster Mash that plays like the Goonies sequel we never got, only swapping out a hunt for pirate treasure for a gaggle of 80’s kid-movie stereotypes (the Leader, the Cool Kid, the Fat Kid, the Girl) facing off against all of the classic Universal Monster archetypes, including Count Dracula (the suave Duncan Regher), the Wolfman (Jonathan Gries), the Mummy (Michael MacKay), Frankenstein’s Monster (a terrific, perfectly-cast Tom Noonan), and, of course, the Gillman (F/X wiz Tom Woodruff, Jr.) in a bid to stave off The End Of The World (a previous attempt to do so a century earlier by Drac’s nemesis Professor Van Helsing is foretold in the opening text crawl, which features a great punchline). The Monster Squad is essential viewing for younger monster movie fans (although the casual usage of a certain homosexual slur dates the movie), with excellent monster designs by Stan Winston, visual effects by Richard Edlund and music by Bruce Broughton. Director Fred Dekker (Night Of The Creeps) and co-writer Shane Black keep the tone and pacing breezy throughout, with the enthusiastic bouts of PG-13 thrills mixed well with plenty of genuine laughs, and the appealing young cast acquit themselves well, even if the acting is somewhat scattershot. Terrific fun.
Last edited by Monterey Jack; 10-17-2018 at 01:40 AM.
I might be one of the few that didn't think the movie was all it was cracked up to be. Yes, it was tense and suspensful but the three lead characters were flat, hollow and unappealing. I really didn't care what happened to them plus the fact that the movie started to fall apart upon the third act.
totally agree... the end really ruined it for me...
16. SCREAM 3
This isn't as good as the first two but is still a decent horror movie with lots of twists and turns. I guess I'm not as familiar with this one because I didn't remember much of the story or the ending, but enjoyed it and will check out part 4 soon to complete the series. Just like the other two, I enjoyed the entire cast of characters which is rare for a horror movie.
[Show spoiler]
1. HALLOWEEN 3
2+3. PHANTASM 1+2
4. CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON
5. HALLOWEEN
6. DRACULA 1931
7. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN
8. THE INVISIBLE MAN
9+10. FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 5+6
11. ZOMBIELAND
12. ALIEN COVENANT
13. VAN HELSING
14+15. SCREAM 1+2
SEPTEMBER
1. 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE
2. THE MUMMY 1959
3. SALEM'S LOT
4+5. FRIDAY THE 13TH 1+2
6. THE MUMMY 1932
7. THE THING 1982
8. SHAUN OF THE DEAD
9. FREDDY VS. JASON
10. THE PURGE
11. LAND OF THE DEAD
12. RAMPAGE
13-15. POLTERGEIST 1+2+2015
16. ALIEN VS. PREDATOR
17. THE MEG
18. DAWN OF THE DEAD 2004
19. THE PURGE ANARCHY
20+21. FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 3+4
22. THE THING 2011
23. PROMETHEUS
24. THE PURGE ELECTION YEAR
10/13/2018 The Funhouse
Tremendous atmosphere and cinematography. Almost makes me believe he really did direct Poltergeist
10/14/18 Stranger Things S2 Ep2
Good Halloween atmosphere
10/15/18 A solid double feature of fake news broadcasts. Ghostwatch
This would've been awonder to experience in real time. It is so restrained that I could see it being believable back then.
WNUF Halloween Special
WNUF is just perfectly up my alley. Love all 82 minutes of it. I really hope his sequel comes through
Tonight (after baseball) will be Halloween III and then Summer of '84
All countries
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Colombia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Denmark
Finland
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
India
Latvia
Lithuania
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Still, it earns it's 4 skulls.
It's impossible to like the main character -- she's obnoxious -- and it's really, really far-fetched. Unless, of course, she imagined the whole thing (which I tend to believe. She's obviously nuts.) I like the ambiguity of the ending, but this was pretty "meh.". The most impressive thing was that the whole movie was shot on an iPhone! Looked pretty good too.
31 Days Of Horror 
Body Bags * (1993): 
The Mummy (1959) 
Linear Mode
