Road Trip

Hey folks,

Spent 14 hours on the road yesterday so my apologies for not having a new review up. Look for one later this evening if you are so inclined. Tonight's review will be for that Ridley Scott classic "Alien".

Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man

Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man

Starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Nancy Guild, Arthur Franz

Directed by Charles Lamont

The comedic duo of Abbott and Costello appear again in yet another celebration of the Universal Monsters. This time, the action centers around a murder mystery, with a dash of sci fi thrown in for good measure. And although aspects of the plot are new, this film could almost be seen as a remake of “The Invisible Man Returns”. Though Claude Rains original interpretation of the character could be incredibly creepy at times, in this instance it’s played more for fun, even though this version of the Invisible Man still shares some of the original’s megalomaniacal qualities. And although the same delusions of power are present in the character, when balanced with the antics of Abbot and Costello, it becomes rather harmless. We do take the character’s intentions quite seriously but we also realize that there’s no way that they could come to any fruition, especially when bogged down by Costello’s actions. The effects utilized in making the Invisible Man come to life are pretty amazing, even by today’s standards. One re-materialization sequence is especially effective in where we see the circulatory system appear, followed by a muscular structure, and then finally, a complete and whole face. In fact, this one sequence was so good for its day that I briefly considered making it the “Money Shot”. It is one small gruesome bit that feels out of place with the rest of the film. However, all in all, this movie remains a fun experience, from a setup boxing match to drunken revelry in a nightclub. I must admit that the previous effort, “Abbot and Costello Meets Frankenstein” felt a bit more fresh and original. Nonetheless, this one is still worth a watch. There are laughs to be found here.

The plot follows Abbott and Costello as they graduate from a school for Private Detectives. Their first case is one for which they are ill prepared, a boxer named Tommy Nelson who has been framed for murder. To escape the police, Nelson injects himself with a scientist’s serum, which allows him to become invisible. You can guess where this goes as Abbott, Costello, and Nelson attempt to avoid the police and clear Nelsons name. Some particularly funny sequences involve a police psychiatrist, disappearing drinks, and punches from thin air. Let’s just say that keeping a drunk man, who just happens to be invisible, out of trouble has never seemed so difficult and humorous. Yup, it comes with my recommendation.

The Money Shot: Antics with floating celery, including the statement, “I used to juggle”. It’s a very short part of a much larger sequence. But it does set the tone for the rest of the scene to follow.

Changing the Title

Interesting enough, I’ve now gotten some negative comments from some folks out there who disagree with the title I’ve chosen. I thought I had explained that the original idea wasn’t my own. In fact, I thought I made it quite clear. However, I do have an idea that people may have seen the title without bothering to read the content involved. Ho hum.

And yet with that being said, there are some things out there that I am passionate about and if I felt that they were being infringed upon or cheapened in any way, I may take offense as well. I do get it. So I will be changing the name. I think, Wolfman’s Horror Review will do just fine. The format won’t be changing in any way, I still will try to keep to the schedule. Hope you enjoy it.

The Abominable Dr. Phibes

The Abominable Dr. Phibes

Starring Vincent Price, Joseph Cotton, Peter Jeffrey, Virginia North

Directed by Robert Fuest

I’ll completely admit it. In my eyes, it’s extremely difficult to find fault with Vincent Price. I grew up watching his exploits, from the victim to the villain. There’s a signed 8x10 hanging above me television. However, and how I loathe to admit this, a few of his films were downright terrible. Fortunately “The Abominable Dr. Phibes” is one of the good ones.

As far as Price’s vast filmography goes, this is one of my all time favorites due to the odd nature of the film. This wasn’t the same old horror film of its day. Released in 1971, it didn’t have the exploitative edge of early 70’s cinema nor did have the overt gothic elements that much of Price’s horror films possess. Instead, this film remains its own unique animal utilizing an art deco feel, very macabre humor, and some seriously overt campy and over the top acting. While this may sound like a recipe for disaster, it actually turns out to be quite fun and extremely creative. There are so many strange and interesting elements to this film that make it completely watchable. While that actual plot and deaths contained within this odd bit of cinema may seem completely hokey, you may find yourself watching this film just to see how much more bizarre it can become. Probably the best description that comes to mind may be a horror and revenge thriller seen through the lens of Sid and Marty Krofft.

The story is as equally bizarre as the sets and costuming. Price stars as Dr. Anton Phibes, a world renowned organist, who was originally thought to have died in an automobile accident. The accident in question occurred as Phibes was rushing to the aid of his dying wife, who unfortunately expired on the operating table. Horribly disfigured and bent on his obsession for revenge, the film follows his plans to kill the nine surgeons and nurses who attended his wife’s operation. And in a very strange and ingenious manner, each of these murders are meant to reflect the 10 plagues of Egypt as stated in the Old Testament. Phibes nemesis throughout the film is Scotland Yard’s Inspector Trout. In many ways, this film exists in two worlds, the strange and fascinating world of Phibes and the stuffy, very prim and proper world of Trout. It makes for an interesting film experience. And with that being said, the films climax couldn’t be any better.

As stated, this is a very unusual film. In all reality, it is quite ridiculous and campy. With that being said, it comes to no surprise that this film has solely survived on its cult status. Even Phibes had no real onscreen speaking lines due to his disfigurement and instead relies upon an invention of his own creation, a chord plugged into his neck which allows his voice to be played through a speaker system. Like I said, bizarre. And while this sort of a situation may seem like it might be difficult for an actor to portray, Price pulls it off completely. You can tell that this was fun film to make and production notes state that Price’s makeup was constantly having to be touched up due to his inability to keep from smiling. Peter Jeffrey also gives an amazing performance as Inspector Trout, the proper Englishman surrounded by an incompetent police department. In as much as you are almost rooting for Phibes, you really want to see Trout make good on his investigation. This is a fun and engrossing film, even though you may be scratching your head afterward and asking yourself, “What the hell did I just see?”

The Money Shot: The first five minute sequence is by far the best. We see an almost unrecognizable pipe organ literally rise from the depths while watching a hooded and black robed performer playing “War March of the Priests” by Mendelssohn. Immediately following, we see this same black robed figure conducting a clockwork band which ends with in a ballroom waltz with a silent partner. It is the perfect way to start this film. It’s ambiguous, highly entertaining, and leaves you wanting to make more discoveries in this strange and odd world you’re viewing.

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein

Starring Budd Abbott , Lou Costello, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr., Glen Strange

Directed by Charles Barton

In many ways, this film has been considered to be the Swan Song of the Universal Monster series, that is until the introduction of “The Creature From the Black Lagoon” in the 1950s. The Title “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” is a bit misleading in that Dracula and the Wolfman are also heavily present, including a very brief appearance by the Invisible Man. In some ways, it is a bit sad to see these famous Universal Monsters being reduced to almost straight men for Abbott and Costello to have fun with. Although a film like “Frankenstein” may seem tame by today’s standards, it was incredibly shocking to the audiences of its day. Less than a decade previous, folks were literally leaving theaters in a state of repulsion just by the thought of grave robbing and the like. And in viewing this film, it may seem surprising that in less than ten years, a creature such as Frankenstein’s creation would be seen in such a humorous light. Yes folks, the monsters lost their fangs. And yet, they didn’t lose their ability to frighten without any respect for the ground they had previously walked upon. When viewing this picture, it becomes plain that the film was made with an obvious love for these three creatures that had given so many folks before nightmares and a fear of the dark.

Quite simply, this film is just a lot of fun. While there are moments of horror with the Universal Monsters, it remains a light hearted affair without any real fear of the outcome. Of course, Abbott and Costello will come out safe and sound in the end. How could it end any differently? The Wolfman is ferocious in many ways, Dracula comes across as subtle and creepy as only Lugosi can make him, and Glen Strange still pulls off the childlike innocence of Frankenstein’s creation quite well. Strange is no Boris Karloff. Who could? But he does make the part his own and pulls it off quite well. As for Abbott and Costello, their comedy was beginning to lose a certain cruelty that it once possessed at the beginning of their film careers. Let’s face it, Abbott was incredibly harsh to Costello in their earlier pictures and yes it did make for some great humor, as sadistic as it may seem. But this picture still shines with their comic genius. I laughed quite a few times watching this film and assume that the audience of its day may have been rolling in the aisles. All in all, it is worth seeing, if not for the antics of Abbott and Costello, bit also for a meeting of three of the greatest Universal Monsters. If you are a true horror fan, how can you resist?

The Money Shot: Costello and the waiter trick of pulling a tablecloth while breaking the fourth wall. Brilliant!! Everyone I’ve ever this film to has gotten a great laugh out of that moment.

The List

Here's a selection of about 250 titles. This look like a good start to me. Most of em are straight horror. However, there are a few that may cross the lines into other genres, such as comedy, crime, and the like. But these are few and far between and, in my opinion, still meet the criteria of inclusion on this list. And tomorrow we’ll get started with our first foray into the reviews.

A.

Abbot t and Costello Meet Frankenstein, Abbot and Costello Meet the Invisible Man, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien Ressurection, Alien Vs Predator, Alien Vs Predator:Requiem, Alone in the Dark(2004), Altered States, An American Werewolf in London, Amityville Horror(2005), Amityville Horror(1979), Amityville 2:The Possession, Angel Heart

B.

Below, The Birds, Blade, Blade 2, Blade:Trinity, Boogeyman(2005), Bride of Frankenstein, Brotherhood of the Wolf, Bubba Ho-Tep

C.

Coraline, The Cell, Cemetary Man, The Changeling(1980), Children of the Corn, Christine, Cloverfield, Comedy of Terrors, Constantine, The Corpse Bride, The Creature From the Black Lagoon, The Creature Walks Among Us, Creepshow, Creepshow 2, Cursed

D.

Dark City, Dark Water, Darkness, Darkness Falls, Dawn of the Dead(2004), Dead Silence, Descent, The Devil’s Backbone, The Devil’s Rejects, Diary of the Dead, Dominion:The Exorcist, Dracula(1931), Dracula:Spanish (1931), Dracula(1992), Dracula’s Daughter, Drag me to Hell, Dreamcatcher

E.

Eraserhead, And Evening of Edgar Allen Poe, Event Horizon, Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, Evil Dead 3:Army of Darkness, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Exorcist, The Exorcist:The Beginning, The Exorcist 3

F.

Fall of the House of Usher(1960), Feast, The Fog(1979), The Fog(1980), The Forgotten, 1408, Frankenstein(1931), Freddy Vs Jason, Freddy’s Dead:The Final Nightmare, Friday the 13^th(1980), Friday the 13^th(2009), Friday the 13^th Part 2, Friday the 13^th Part 3, Friday the 13^th:The Final Chapter, Friday the 13^th:A New Beginning, Friday the 13^th Part 6:Jason Lives, Friday the 13^th Part 7:The New Blood, Friday the 13^th Part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan, Fright Night, From Dusk Til’Dawn

G.

Ghost of Frankenstein, Ghost Ship, The Gift, The Grudge, The Grudge 2

H.

Halloween( 1978), Halloween(2007), Halloween 2(1981), Halloween 2(2009), Halloween 4:The Return of Michael Myers, Halloween 5:The Revenge of Michael Myers, Halloween:H20, Halloween:Resurrection, Hellboy, Hide and Seek, The Hills Have Eyes(2006), Hold That Ghost, The Host, Hostel, House of Dracula, House of Frankenstein, House of 1000 Corpses, House of Wax(2005), House on Haunted Hill(1959), House on Haunted Hill(1999), The Howling, The Hunger

I.

I Am Legend, I know What You Did Last Summer, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, In the Mouth of Madness, The Invisible Agent, The Invisible Man, The Invisible Man Returns, The Invisible Man’s Revenge, The invisible Woman, It

J.

The Jacket, Jacob’s Ladder, Jason Goes to Hell, Jaws, Jeepers Creepers, Ju-On, Ju-On 2

L.

Land of the Dead, Legacy, The Legend of Hell House, Lost Souls

M.

Masque of the Red Death, The Messengers, The Midnight Meat Train, Mimic, The Mist, The Mothman Prophecies, The Mummy(1932), The Mummy(1999), The Mummy Returns, The Mummy:Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, The Mummy’s Curse, The Mummy’s Ghost, The Mummy’s Hand, The Mummy’s Tomb

N.

Near Dark, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Nightmare on Elm Street, Nightmare on Elm Street 2:Freddy’s Revenge, Nightmare on Elm Street 3:Dream Warriors, Nightmare on Elm Street 4:The Dream Master, Nightmare on Elm Street 5:The Dream Child, Nosferatu(1922)

O.

The Oblong Box, The Omen(1976), One Missed Call, The Orphanage

P.

Paranormal Activity, Pet Sematary, Phantasm, Phantoms, Planet Terror, Pi, The Pit and the Pendulum(1961), Poltergeist, Predator, Predator 2, Premature Burial, Prince of Darkness, The Prophecy, Psycho, Psycho 2, Psycho 3, Psycho 4:The Beginning, Pulse

R.

The Raven, Re-Animator, The Reaping, Resident Evil, Resident Evil:Apocalypse, Resident Evil:Extinction, The Return, Return of the Living Dead, Revenge of the Creature, The Ring, The Ring 2, Ringu, Ringu:Rasen, Ringu 2, Ringu 0, Rose Red

S.

Saw, Saw 2, Saw 3, Saw 4, Scream and Scream Again, Serpent and the Rainbow, Session 9, Se7en, Shaun of the Dead, The Shining, Signs, Silent Hill, The Skeleton Key, Sleepy Hollow, Son of Dracula, Son of Frankenstein, Sweeney Todd

T.

Tales From the Crypt(1972), Tales From the Crypt:Bordello of Blood, Tales From the Crypt:Demon Knight, Tales of Terror, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre(2003), Texas Chainsaw Massacre:The Beginning, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, The Thing, Thirteen Ghosts, 30 Days of Night, The Tomb of Ligeia, Tourist Trap, 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, Twice Told Tales

U.

Uzumaki, Underworld, Underworld:Evolution

V.

Vampires, Van Helsing, Vault of Horror,

W.

War of the Worlds, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, White Noise, Willard, Witches of Eastwick, Wolf Creek

X.

X-The Man With the X-Ray Eyes

Y.

Young Frankenstein

Z.

Zombie

Stories Around the Campfire and the Purpose of this Blog

Okay folks, hunker down around the campfire with me for minute. Open your senses for a few a brief period of time and really take it in. Listen closely and you can hear the night sounds of the forest, the odd shuffle beneath a bush, objects falling in the distance, the high pitched squeak of a bat overhead, and maybe the occasional howl of a coyote from some far away location. Pull your gaze away from the fire and take a look into the surrounding trees. Was that the bright shine of firelight reflecting off of a pair of eyes? And is that something dark and sinister in the trees or is it just a branch caught in the wind?

This scene is pulled directly from my childhood. I loved being in the forests during the day. There was wonder in finding some hidden meadow, fishing in a stream, and crossing paths with the occasional deer or rabbit. Rain or shine, it was a magical place. However, when the night approached, that’s when my imagination really came to life. This was the time of ghost stories around the campfire. Chills to delight in the safety of the firelight and fears to keep me wide awake in my tent in the darkness. Was that a deer stepping on underbrush in the dark? Or was it the ghost of the old hermit who had once lived way off in the hills, quietly stalking us in the dead of night? I became addicted to the feeling of fear and suspense those many years ago. And the fascination has never left me.

And of course, since my birthday happens to be 3 days before Halloween, I think I just began to associate ghosts, goblins, and things that go bump in the night with times of celebration.

With all this being said, I have to admit it. I am a complete geek when it comes to films. And there is no better place on the web for film geeks than Aintitcool.com. I have been addicted to that website for years now. Serious films are mentioned and paid attention to. But the treasure of that website really resides in their love of genre films. One of these genres is horror, both serious and satirical, and they are celebrated as pieces of high art. Every year I’ve looked forward to the month of October. This is when one of their critics, under the moniker of Quint, created a daily article for the entire month entitled “Horror Movie a Day” or “HMAD”. And he goes everywhere in his quest for new and old, bloody and atmospheric, quality and cheesy, macabre pieces of celluloid to share with his readers.

I’ve often envied that job and have always wanted to take a crack at it myself. To be honest, I’m really not too qualified for this sort of thing. I’ve never been to film school and I can’t really say with any certainty what the qualifications for a film critic are. However, I love and live for good cinema, or at least my definition of it. I can appreciate the subtle working of films such as “The Fountain” or “Slumdog Millionaire”. However, I did attend a midnight showing of “Jackass 2” and laughed harder than could remember for some time. Highbrow and lowbrow are both my playgrounds.

My film collection is quite large and it does move in many directions. But the basis, well actually most of it, revolves around horror or horror themes. Honestly speaking, I am obsessed with horror movies, simple as that. Sheesh, even my house has become littered and covered with objects surrounding this very obsession. It has been quite awhile since I’ve visited some of these delightful little nightmares and this seemed like a good excuse to spend some time viewing the things that, oddly enough, bring a smile to my face. In addition, I haven’t been doing any writing for some time. So, I felt it might be fun to write about something I love. Henceforth, my own version of “Horror Movie a Day”.

Now I can’t promise that I’ll keep to my daily schedule. However, I can say that I will do my best. In addition, I can also say that I will do the best I can to be as objective as possible when viewing these films and commenting upon them. And yes, I do own some great classics…but I also own some real stinkers as well. Truth is, I’ve still been able to find some merit in the truly bad ones when it comes to one scene or two and have forked over some hard earned cash for that few seconds of horror gold. Never fear, I’ll give you the heads up. Primarily, I’ll be starting from A to Z in my collection. In addition, this won’t be purely horror, with the exceptions being films that have the elements of horror, such as “Coraline”, “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, and “Eraserhead”.

Thanks for being willing to even check out this blog surrounding my strange obsession. Maybe you might enjoy it enough to check back every once in awhile. I’m looking forward to doing it. Here’s hoping you dig it too.