R.B. Wood's Blog, page 27

31 Days of Halloween: Day Fourteen

Slither (2006 Rated R in the US for strong horror violence, gore, language and some really funny shit)

Summary (from IMDB):

In this blend of the B movie classic The Blob (1958) and some Romero's zombies film, a meteorite collides in a small town. Grant finds it, and is infected by a parasite worm, which installs in his brain and causes him a creepy transformation into a monster. Starla, his wife, and Bill, a policeman, will try to stop him and the plague of worms generated by the creature.

RB Wood's rating (out of 5): 4 Squids

This completes the trifecta of comedy zombie flicks for the Halloween season--the other two being Zombieland and Shaun of the Dead.  In some ways (like plot), this is the weakest entry, but the laughs are out loud and the violence is intense. This is a complete throw back flick--from the opening meteor strike where the aliens com to earth (see The Blob, The Thing and countless others) to the Dawn of the Dead references (and actually the script writer for this--James Gunn--wrote the script for the DotD remake). 

The Token Town Rich Guy, Grant Grant, (yes, that is his name and he's played by Michael Rooker, from Henry: portrait of a Serial Killer) is a bit hard up despite being married to Starla (The 40-Year Old Virgin's Elizabeth Banks) so off the aging stud-wannabe stomps to the local watering hole where he runs into Brenda Gutierrez (Brenda James), a fresh young beauty who's had a thing for Grant Grant she was ten. 

In the woods outside Wheelsy, the two are in the midst of a drunken tryst when Grant is distracted by two things: guilt because of Starla, and something that looks like it could've crawled out of a stray meteorite that fell in the woods--probably because it did. Of course when he sees the strange sort of creature in the woods, he does what any genius would--he pokes it with a stick. 

And that's how the fun starts.  Nathan Fillion is fantastic as sheriff Bill Pardy and the rest of the cast plays "dealing with the unknown in a small town" quite well.  This isn't the best movie of the genre, but it's really worth a look.  You'll find yourself quoting some of the more memorable lines for a week or so afterwards.

Tomorrow: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"

Peace

31 Days of Halloween: Day Thirteen

Shaun of the Dead (2004 - Rated R in the US for zombie violence/gore, language and the willful destruction of some classic vinyl records)

Summary (from IMDB):

A man decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living.

RB Wood's Rating (out of 5): 4 cricket bats

Let's just start with the fact that I adore Simon Pegg (Shaun).  I think he's an absolute hoot.  And the fact he has a writing credit as well as plays the titular character means that the dialog is going to be witty, sarcastic and just good fun.  When we are introduced to Shaun, he's a complete loser.  A deadend job, just lost his girl friend his life is drudgery.  The film as loads of digs at other movies in this genre and it's fun to spot them through out the movie.  But make no mistake, this is a horror film.  The violence is hardcore, but is the humor is mixed in and is never over done.  You'll be laughing at the same time the 'splatter' occurs.  I knocked a star off for the limited use the movie puts Martin Freeman and Dylan Moran to, but you'll love this little flick.

When the famous George Romero say this is one of his favorite zombie flicks, you know you have a winner.

Tomorrow: "That's some fucked up shit"

Peace

31 Days of Halloween: Day Twelve

Jaws (1975 Rated PG in the US for Blood, a misbehaving shark and perfection)

Summary (from IMDB):

It's a hot summer on Amity Island, a small community whose main business is its beaches. When new Sheriff Martin Brody discovers the remains of a shark attack victim, his first inclination is to close the beaches to swimmers. This doesn't sit well with Mayor Larry Vaughn and several of the local businessmen. Brody backs down to his regret as that weekend a young boy is killed by the predator. The dead boy's mother puts out a bounty on the shark and Amity is soon swamped with amateur hunters and fisherman hoping to cash in on the reward. A local fisherman with much experience hunting sharks, Quint, offers to hunt down the creature for a hefty fee. Soon Quint, Brody and Matt Hooper from the Oceanographic Institute are at sea hunting the Great White shark. As Brody succinctly surmises after their first encounter with the creature, they're going to need a bigger boat.

RB Wood's Rating (Out of 5): All the stars.  All of them.  Not just 5.

There are five movies in the world that I will sit and watch over and over again:  Casablanca (1942), The Godfather (1972), Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)...

And Jaws.

This is the Steven Spielberg of old.  A yound director trying to prove himself.  And it's absolutely brilliant. The late Roy Scheider is marvelous as Martin Brody, the new Sheriff in the sleepy fictional Cape Cod community of Amity.  He, Richard Dreyfuss as rich-kid oceanographer Matt Hooper and Quint (Robert Shaw) are the leads, but by no means the only shinning stars of this horror classic.  However, when our three intrepid shark hunters are out on Quint's boat, the Orca, the acting, the writing and the dirction are perfection.  From Quint's storry about the Indianapolis, to his ultimate demise as he slowly slides into the maw of the beast.  Cinematic history.

The suspense is built brilliantly, as we never see the Shark until Scheider's Brody is chumming the water...uttering the famous "We're gonna need a bigger boat."  Not your slasher/splatter horror, this is suspense, and terror built slowly, masterfully until the audience is as frightened as the Amity Island populace.

See this movie.  But be warned, it took me two years to go back into the water after my first viewing.

Tomorrow: "Come and get it! It's a running buffet!"

Peace

31 Days of Halloween: Day Eleven

The Fly (1986 - Rated R in the US for Disturbing Content including Grotesque Images, Sci-Fi Violence/Gore, Strong Sexuality, Nudity and for Language. Basically, a 2 hour party with an inside-out Baboon and watching Brundle-fly eat)

Summary (From IMDB):

Seth Brundle, a brilliant but eccentric scientist attempts to woo investigative journalist Veronica Quaife by offering her a scoop on his latest research in the field of matter transportation, which against all the expectations of the scientific establishment have proved successful. Up to a point. Brundle thinks he has ironed out the last problem when he successfully transports a living creature, but when he attempts to teleport himself a fly enters one of the transmission booths, and Brundle finds he is a changed man.

RB Wood's Rating (out of 5): 3.5 maggot-invested babies

Jeff Goldblum is one of my favority wacky actors.  I was introduced to him during the short-lived series Ten Speed and Brown Shoe (with Ben Vereen) back in 1980-- although I saw Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) years later. He was perfect as the eccentric Seth Brundle, scientist who invents the teleporter, only to inadvertantly splice his genes with a fly when he tests his invention on himself.  This is a remake of the 1958 classic with David Hedison and Vincent Price, but it's more than that.  This is a horror story, no doubt.  But it's a tragic love story at its core, and Geena Davis as Veronica Quaife is fabulous in this role.

In watching this years later, my only issue is with David Cronenberg's direction. I've never been a fan of his work, to be honest.  But some of the angle and lighting choices kinda took me out of the story a bit.  But Goldblum always brought me back into it.  Worth it just to watch him act.

Tomorrow: You'll need a bigger boat

Peace

 

  

31 Days of Halloween: Day Ten

Alien (Rated R in the US for sci-fi violence/gore and language.  Oh...and those thoughts I have in the dead of night about Sigourney Weaver.  Except those are NC-17)

Summary (from IMDB):

The crew of the deep space towing vessel Nostromo are awaken from hypersleep to investigate a strange signal from a nearby planet. While investigating the signal, they discover it was intended as a warning, and not an SOS.

I was 15 when I snuck into the theater to see this movie.  After the Star Wars experience and the lackluster Star Trek: The [lack of] Motion Picture, what a refreshing viewing this was! Ridley Scott tells the story with a perfectly synchronized blend of visuals and sounds.  These ragtag 'Company' men and women aren't heroes.  They are in this for the pay.  And from the stunning Sigourney (Ripley) to Tom Skerritt's Dallas and Ian Holm's Ash...all of them really (Hell, when I saw John Hurt as Ollivander in the Harry Potter series I half expected to see a 'chest burster.' Expecto Patronum THAT Potter) portray their individual characters as real people thrown into a horror-filled situation.  Despite the size of the refinery ship Nostromo, the crew section is cramped and dark which adds to the entire claustrophobia feel of the film.  The now iconic alien isn't seen in all its glory until near the end and the unknown is mixed perfectly with the terror. Topped off with the most excellent score by Jerry Goldsmith and you have the PERFECT flick.  I know many people love Aliens more, but in my opinion this is best of the series by far.

Tomorrow: There was an old lady who swallowed a fly, perhaps she'll die.

Peace

31 Days of Halloween: Day Nine

The Thing (1982 - Rated R in the US for strong graphic sci-fi/horror violence and gore, grisly images, language and some drug content.  Sounds like college)

Summary (from IMDB):

An American scientific expedition to the frozen wastes of the Antarctic is interrupted by a group of seemingly mad Norwegians pursuing and shooting a dog. The helicopter pursuing the dog explodes, eventually leaving no explanation for the chase. During the night, the dog mutates and attacks other dogs in the cage and members of the team that investigate. The team soon realizes that an alien life-form with the ability to take over other bodies is on the loose and they don't know who may already have been taken over.

RB Wood's rating (out of 5): 4 Wilford's

This is a remake of the 1951 classic The Thing From Another World and John Carpenter does a superb job...probably his best in the genre in my opinion.  While staying true to the original, Carpenter also uses the paranoia rampent in John W. Campbell Jr.s short story which all interations of this movie draw from.  This is the movie that moved Kurt Russell from a 'Disney Darling' into mainstream acting and it really shows his range (many people will say it was Escape from New York, but I believe this movie is the one that made him).  The suspense generated in this film--from the opening scene with the husky being chased down by a helicopter to the final, most fitting, ending is fantastic and still works thirty years later.

What made this movie suffer at the box office was its proximity release near Spielberg's ET.  Many critics complained about the gore and violence in this flick as compared to the family friendly alien movie.  But, make no mistake.  This is a masterpiece.  The script, lighting and camera work are superb and the acting draws you into the confining quarters and desolute setting of Antarctica. Don't miss this one for the Halloween season and don't use it as a date night flick--trust me.

Tomorrow: In space, no one can hear you scream

Peace

31 Days of Halloween: Day Eight

Poltergeist (1982 - Rated PG in the US for Creepy ghosts, pissed of dead indians and a scary little person)

Summary (from IMDB):

A young family are visited by ghosts in their home. At first the ghosts appear friendly, moving objects around the house to the amusement of everyone, then they turn nasty and start to terrorise the family before they "kidnap" the youngest daughter.

RB Wood's Rating (Out of 5): 4 and a half Carol Anne's

This is the movie that spear-headed the PG-13 rating, and it's not hard to see why.  The Creep/horror factor is high, althought the lack of bare boobies and f-bombs kept this out of the "R" territory. This is very different than Spielberg's other entry for 1982 (a little flick called E. T.).  Although the same neighbor hood and Golden Retriever is used for both flick, they couldn't be more different. Scary shit begins to happen in the Freeling home when young Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke) begins to sleepwalk and have in depth conversations with the television.  Craig T. Nelson plays daddy Freeling who is a real estate agent for the housing development the family has moved into.  Once Carol Anne announces that "They're here!" the oddities begin to increase, culminating in Carol Anne's kidnapping into the 'ghost dimension.'

Still a classic, the performances (even by the children) are quite good--something Spielberg is quite good at.  Both Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams (who plays Diane Freeling) play the 'protect the children at all costs' card very well. The score sets the tone brilliantly, and the 'corporate greed' underlying theme is there, but not over done.  I take a half star off due to the late Zelda Rubinstein's performance as Tangina.  She's done so many other great bit roles, her performance here is just not up to her usual standard.

Tomorrow: Man is The Warmest Place to Hide.

Peace

 

31 Days of Halloween: Day Seven

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948 Rated PG for mild situational horror and Costello, because he's a "Baaaad Boooooy")

Summary (from IMDB):

The world of freight handlers Wilbur Grey and Chick Young is turned upside down when the remains of Frankenstein's monster and Dracula arrive from Europe to be used in a house of horrors. Dracula awakens and escapes with the weakened monster, who he plans to re-energize with a new brain. Larry Talbot (the Wolfman) arrives from London in an attempt to thwart Dracula. Dracula's reluctant aide is the beautiful Dr. Sandra Mornay. Her reluctance is dispatched by Dracula's bite. Dracula and Sandra abduct Wilbur for his brain and recharge the monster in preparation for the operation. Chick and Talbot attempt to find and free Wilbur, but when the full moon rises all hell breaks loose with the Wolfman, Dracula, and Frankenstein all running rampant.

RB Wood's Rating (out of 5): 4 "Hey Abb-ott's!"

I'm sure You are wondering why the hell this is on my list.  Especially since there are classics from the Universal Horror Collection such as:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), The Phantom of the Opera (1925), Dracula (1931 althought the Spanish shot-by-shot copy of the same year is MUCH better), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932)...and dozens of others.

So WHY Abbott and Costello?  In my opinion this is the BEST of the lot when it comes to bringing all the major monsters together.  Two hapless frieght handlers, Wilber (Costello) and Chick (Abbott) discover a few things shipped from Europe refuse to stay in thier containers.  The great Lon Chaney Jr. Plays Talbot--The Wolf Man.  Bela Lugosi is in for his second (and last) run as Dracula.  And even Vincent Price has a cameo as The Invisable man.

More than star power of the 30's and 40's, this is a witty script--significantly enhanced with Bud Abbott's brilliant straighman and Lou Costello's classic vaudville comedy.  There is some brilliant lines in this: "Oh pal. That's all right; I'm sort of a wolf myself." (Costello chatting with Talbot who reveals his wolfish secret) or Chick "You're making enough noise to wake up the dead!" Wilbur - "I don't have to wake him up. He's up."

It works, because EVERYONE plays it straight, except for Costello.  And I laugh everytime.  If you want to see a few of the best monsters from the middle of the last century, as well as one of the best comedy duos in action, pick this up.

Tomorrow: They're Here!

Peace

31 Days of Halloween: Day Six

The Grudge (2004 - Rated PG-13 in the US for mature thematic material, disturbing images/terror/violence, and some sensuality and some fucked up anger management issues)

Summary (from IMDB):

Karen Davis is an American Nurse moves to Tokyo and encounter a supernatural spirit who is vengeful and often possesses its victims. A series of horrifying and mysterious deaths start to occur, with the spirit passing its curse onto each victim. Karen must now find away to break this spell, before she becomes its next victim.

RB Wood's Rating (out of 5): 3.5 Creepy Kids

Bill Pulman as Peter lasts only for the first few minutes of The Grudge, reminding strongly of the old Police Squad! TV Series where the guest stars died in the teaser each week. Set in Japan, the Grude is a curse formed from powerful rage that has manifested itself for years in the house where the murder/suicide of a couple occured while their young son watched.

This remake (The Japanese version-- Ju-on-- is much better, BTW) certainly has its scary moments and I won't deny I jumped a few times despite seeing the setup coming.  The story is simple, but the cultural differences between Japan and America are so great that the sinister nature of a watching spirit is significantly diluted in the US.  It's a great home rental/Netfix streamer for this Halloween and you'll enjoy it--just don't expect a masterpiece.

Oh, and Karen is played by Sarah Michelle Gellar...and I'll pretty much watch her paint her nails all day and be happy.

Tomorrow: "Dummy nothin'. It was smart enough to scare me!"

Peace

31 Days of Halloween: Day Five

Wait Until Dark (1967 - NR in the US, but the suspense is fantastic and Audrey Hepburn makes me tingle, but that might be TMI)

Summary (from IMDB):

Susy's husband is asked to hold a doll for a woman as they get off an airplane. She disappears. Mike and Carlino are small time hoods who find the woman's body in Susie's apartment, placed there by her partner, Harry Rote. Susie's blindness is the key to them searching the apartment for the doll that contains smuggled drugs. Mike pretends to be an old friend of Susie's husband while her husband is away and together the crooks invent a story of a police investigation of her husband that only the discovery of the now missing doll can save him from. Rote is a killer, and his stalking of Susie becomes more and more obvious as the story unfolds, leaving us with the question, how does a blind woman defend herself?

RB Wood's Rating (Out of 5) 4 stunning brunettes

A bit of a departure tonight.  Away from the normal horror genre, this is pure thriller and pure suspense.  Susy (played by Hepburn) is recently blind young woman living in her basement apartment with her husband Sam (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.). When Sam returns with a doll packed with Herion (unbeknown to the young couple), the unfriendlies show up.

Audrey Hepburn is a not-so-secret crush of mine, and she is brilliant as Susy.  But Alan Arkin is be far the show stealer as the morally bankrupt Character of Roat.  He his calculating and ruthless.  And is absolutely perfect.  I've included this gem of a film here because it will terrorize you even more than many of the flicks I'll be reviewing this month. Based on the play by the late Frederick Knott (who also penned Dial 'M' for Murder), the script will keep you on the edge of your seat until the credits roll. A perfect thriller for the season!

Tomorrow: "Three years ago, three of my colleagues were investigating what happened in that house. Two died mysteriously. The third was never found."

Peace