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Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 27, 2017 12:51:08 GMT
"Happy Birthday to Me" (1981)
Watched in celebration of my birthday yesterday. Fun, if rather plot heavy, Canadian horror film that has just as much in common with Italy's "Gialli" as American slashers. Quite the good cast, with Glenn Ford (a Canadian by birth) and Lawrence Dane in supporting roles. Happy belated birthday! I really need to give this one a rewatch. Seen it only the once, and I remembered liking it in spite of its flabby 2 hour running length. Something you would rarely see from an 80s slasher. Might check out the bluray copy for it.
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Post by gspdude on Sept 27, 2017 13:38:19 GMT
I'm watching a few classic horror flicks again today on the channel TCM ( Turner Classic Movies ) and I think in my case watching horror flicks is not only fun but also a family genetic trait . Right now - The Green Slime (1968) After that - Five Million Years to Earth (1967) Then after this one a real favorite of mine here ( not so much on the horror film side here but the space monster in it counts to me as one ? ) - Forbidden Planet (1956) Yes that was a nice line-up TCM had yesterday. The only one I hadn't seen before was Cosmic Monsters (1958), aka The Strange World of Planet X. The effects were cheap and the editing a bit choppy but I liked the story and the acting was good. 6/10.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2017 14:12:11 GMT
"Happy Birthday to Me" (1981)
Watched in celebration of my birthday yesterday. Fun, if rather plot heavy, Canadian horror film that has just as much in common with Italy's "Gialli" as American slashers. Quite the good cast, with Glenn Ford (a Canadian by birth) and Lawrence Dane in supporting roles. Happy belated birthday! I really need to give this one a rewatch. Seen it only the once, and I remembered liking it in spite of its flabby 2 hour running length. Something you would rarely see from an 80s slasher. Might check out the bluray copy for it.
Thank you, lostinlimbo!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2017 14:13:08 GMT
heysweden, hoped you had a great day, and that you got your birthday cake right on time. Thank you, Stefan.
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Post by mszanadu on Sept 27, 2017 19:21:39 GMT
You're most welcome stefancrosscoe and I also really enjoy chatting with you here on this forum about movies and music as well . I'm actually a lone wolf type here and I'm way more comfortable chatting one to one with individual posters at a time so not really much on joining in on larger group activities . However I'm a bit curious to ask anyway - What is the " October Challange " ? Thanks so much again stefancrosscoe for your reply The October Horror Challenge is where you watch 31 (not all at once) horror movies (with a runtime wich must be at least 50 minutes of time) and where as 16 of them are to be first time views. lostinlimbo has just made 2 great thread/topics, so if you are interested, just pop in and have a look. I have never done this challenge before either, but it looks like a lot of fun, and I thought that I should just mentioned it, as you seem to be quite the horror fan yourself. I just checked out those 2 threads and it looks really great yet it would be very challenging to me here . Although I'm a big fan of horror flicks I'm also the Queen of Reruns as well . Also even with all the movies I have seen 10 + times I'm still discovering new ones along the way - yet are added to my un-watched and unattainable all movies list that is still and will be forever very long . So I think this Dinotopian will sit this one out for this year but I will most definitely be keeping myself updated on those 2 threads and rooting for the folks who are participating here on this forum . It should be real interesting to see the list of horror films most folks have not seen here also ( and for me another set of movie recommendations here too ! ) . If you are taking the horror film challenge this year stefancrosscoe my best of luck to you on this as well . Thanks so much stefancrosscoe for letting me know about all of this too .
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 29, 2017 11:41:35 GMT
I just checked out those 2 threads and it looks really great yet it would be very challenging to me here . Although I'm a big fan of horror flicks I'm also the Queen of Reruns as well . Also even with all the movies I have seen 10 + times I'm still discovering new ones along the way - yet are added to my un-watched and unattainable all movies list that is still and will be forever very long . I completely understand. My to-watch-movie-list is out of control, and one that I will likely to ever finish, since I almost weekly end up adding several new/old films that I want to see/buy, and along with all the re-watchable favorite movies of mine, I could live to be a thousand years old, and still I would not be able to see them all. But on the positive side, it is nice to have something to look forward to, and not having seen every movie ever made, now that could have become a very boring situation to be in. So I think this Dinotopian will sit this one out for this year but I will most definitely be keeping myself updated on those 2 threads and rooting for the folks who are participating here on this forum . It should be real interesting to see the list of horror films most folks have not seen here also ( and for me another set of movie recommendations here too ! ) . If you are taking the horror film challenge this year stefancrosscoe my best of luck to you on this as well . Thanks so much stefancrosscoe for letting me know about all of this too . Thanks for all the support mszanadu, as I am sure everybody involved in would apreciate that , and also maybe you might find some new or interesting movies to put in your watchlist, if you are going through some of the reviews by those who have taken upon the challenge. Anyway, I am planning on maybe beginning to write down a list of first-time views and then save the familiar faces/favorites untill the end of the month. Hopefully it will be lots of suprises and maybe I too might find a new favorite movie/movies along the way. So, in the meantime I do hope you'll have a great weekend and that you keep on ejoying watching horror movies.
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Post by mszanadu on Sept 29, 2017 16:58:18 GMT
I just checked out those 2 threads and it looks really great yet it would be very challenging to me here . Although I'm a big fan of horror flicks I'm also the Queen of Reruns as well . Also even with all the movies I have seen 10 + times I'm still discovering new ones along the way - yet are added to my un-watched and unattainable all movies list that is still and will be forever very long . I completely understand. My to-watch-movie-list is out of control, and one that I will likely to ever finish, since I almost weekly end up adding several new/old films that I want to see/buy, and along with all the re-watchable favorite movies of mine, I could live to be a thousand years old, and still I would not be able to see them all. But on the positive side, it is nice to have something to look forward to, and not having seen every movie ever made, now that could have become a very boring situation to be in. So I think this Dinotopian will sit this one out for this year but I will most definitely be keeping myself updated on those 2 threads and rooting for the folks who are participating here on this forum . It should be real interesting to see the list of horror films most folks have not seen here also ( and for me another set of movie recommendations here too ! ) . If you are taking the horror film challenge this year stefancrosscoe my best of luck to you on this as well . Thanks so much stefancrosscoe for letting me know about all of this too . Thanks for all the support mszanadu, as I am sure everybody involved in would apreciate that , and also maybe you might find some new or interesting movies to put in your watchlist, if you are going through some of the reviews by those who have taken upon the challenge. Anyway, I am planning on maybe beginning to write down a list of first-time views and then save the familiar faces/favorites untill the end of the month. Hopefully it will be lots of suprises and maybe I too might find a new favorite movie/movies along the way. So, in the meantime I do hope you'll have a great weekend and that you keep on ejoying watching horror movies. You're most welcome stefancrosscoe . As always thanks so much for your very kind words to me here and your quality reply as well . At the moment here and like every Friday at 12 PM at this time I'm watching The Original Star Trek Marathon on the channel BBC AMERICA . However sometimes in between commercials - well like today for instance . I do tend to check around the other channels to see what else might fill that time until going back to Star Trek . Well as luck would have it today I found a film that I have mentioned on this forum / boards here before and never tire of watching this is a really good one too . Burnt Offerings (1976) I always wondered if the writer / director Stephen King got his inspiration of this movie for his own 2 TV Miniseries movies Rose Red (2002) The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer (2003) These are also 2 of my favorites I really enjoy and watch both around this time of the season as well ( my type of mysterious movie storyline - the haunted house or is it alive ? we may never know ) . Enjoy your weekend too stefancrosscoe and we will be chatting here or on these other boards again soon . OH PS - In the spirit of Star Trek Marathon Fridays - Star Trek jam session
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Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 30, 2017 5:18:28 GMT
Re-watched "Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice" last night, and boy did it make me appreciate the original much more. There are numerous visuals of corn, cornfields and plenty of dialogues about corn too. Other than a couple outrageous death scenes and over-the-top acting, it's a little tedious and the plot drops exposing the background behind what's happening can slow it down.
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Post by mszanadu on Oct 1, 2017 17:26:37 GMT
I watched another really good classic one last night on DVD with actress Margot Kidder . Sisters (1973 film)I'm watching another one right now on the SyFy Channel - Night of the Wild (2015) IMPO - This one is just OK so far but it's still a bit amusing in a dark comedy sort of way .
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Post by Captain Spencer on Oct 2, 2017 1:52:26 GMT
I watched another really good classic one last night on DVD with actress Margot Kidder . Sisters (1973 film)I'm watching another one right now on the SyFy Channel - Night of the Wild (2015) IMPO - This one is just OK so far but it's still a bit amusing in a dark comedy sort of way . Hi mszanadu. What a superb horror thriller Sisters is. So bizarre, chilling, and very suspenseful. It was Brian De Palma's first foray into the genre and put him right on the map. You must own the Criterion DVD, correct? I'm hoping Criterion will release a new edition on blu ray.
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Post by forca84 on Oct 2, 2017 2:01:28 GMT
"Breeders" (1986) Low budget film about Aliens raping and impregnating women. Gross out effects.
"Species; The Awakening" (2008) Not as good as part 1. But not awful. Pretty much similar setup with a new female lead.
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Oct 2, 2017 10:44:59 GMT
October Horror Challenge - Day One: Nosferatu (1922)
I was so excited about starting this thing off, that I where thinking of maybe seeing 3-4 movies last night, however I think that I will watch just one, each day as I might easily "overdo" it, far too early on, and beside the 31 horror films, I also have just recently began to re-watch Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and also have 20-25 (maybe more) other films from all kind of genres that I have planned on getting through in October, so I think for me, I just have to take it one step at a time. Anyway, I decided that this is the right opportunity to start watching and filling up the holes of shame, when it comes to seeing old classics and most of these films I have owned for many years, so my focus will be directed at titles that I have never seen, or at least start up the month with those, and then see where I am headed. My first horror movie pick was the classic Nosferatu (1922), which I have never seen before, but heard and read so many great things about. I have only seen a few clips from the movie, often referenced or parodied in many films and TV-shows, usually with short scenes featuring Max Schreck as Count Orlok, but never any scenes that involves any of the other characters in the film. This would also be the first time that I saw a full length silent film (not counting in the Charlie Chaplin or Harold Lloyd short films) and so I was postively surprised at how fast-paced it really was, however it became very clear to me that I had went in with maybe too big expectations and since I had seen most of the other films based up on Bram Stoker's famous book, Nosferatu did not exactly made me a die hard fan from just one viewing. The most positive parts from the movie is that the pace is very impressive and where some of the locations/scenery are stunning to look at, especially for such an old movie, and of course the use of gothic/dark fantasy settings made a big impression also, with the icing on the cake being the legendary performance by Max Schreck as Count Orlok, and while his version sure was creepy and memorable (had I seen it as a kid, it would surely given me some heavy doses of nightmares to come) it still did not come off as evil or intimidating as other classic vampire/monsters where my 10/10 scale for most evil/disturbing vampire (that I have seen) goes to Kurt Barlow (Reggie Nalder) in the Stephen King mini-series Salem's Lot (1979). But Schreck did good, not question about that, and I think with what little scenes he had as Count Orlok, his version is a solid 7/10. The not so good parts/negative was that I wished there would be more focus on what went on at the Orlok mansion/castle, it happened way too fast and the other characters was just not close of being very interesting and I really wished that the film would have included more scenes with Orlok and Hutter. My "biggest problem" was the use of music, not all was "bad" but the thing is that I have seen the classic Count Orlok/Dracula scenes (on the boat) in many films where it often have used some other kind of music/score and a lot of times I felt that the music in Nosferatu was too much "cheerful" circus music or too theatrical and not the least scary or unsettling. I know, I know, this was my first silent movie and I am just not used to seeing that kind of films, so I have for the moment little to compare it with. All in all, Nosferatu is a classic film and one every movie lover/horror fan should at least watch once in their life, and I do admire/respect it for its influence on the movie/horror genres very much, however it will likely not go down as an instant "love at first sight" 10/10 masterpiece movie experience. Nosferatu will stay in my DVD/movie collection, not doubt about that, but the chances that I will re-watch it any time soon, are very small. I have done my part, I went in, saw it and hoped for the best and I cannot give it a higher rating than what I think it deserved after a first time view which for me lies somewhere between a 5,5/10 and a very kind 6/10. So, I decided to give it a very generous: 6/10
By the way, I did try and see Orlok the Vampire in 3D (2009), which was either released or distributed by Troma Productions and brought along with a very "funny" introduction by LLoyd Kaufman. I actually got fooled into buying this back in 2010, thinking it was the original Nosferatu in 3D, (which is pretty much is) with the stupid 3D glasses and all, however I did not expect such a new low from Troma. Orlok the Vampire in 3D was just a pathetic, desperate and very unfunny attempt of doing a "parody" and I did not manage to sit through more than a few minutes of this annoying piece of shit where as Troma have re-scored the original soundtrack and included new text/subtitles and put in all kind of awful/annoying sounds/noises to be played along with the original 1922 film. I see it have only 5 votes or less on IMDb, and as I mentioned, I did not want to waste one hour and 40 minutes of re-watching Nosfeatu complete with bottom of the barrel "comedy" by Troma, so instead I throw it where it belongs, in the garbage. Sorry about the double-post, as I am not sure if I did put my mini-review of Nosferatu (October challenge) in the right place (the progression thread) or if this is the place or another thread? "Thirty more days 'til Halloween/ Halloween/ Halloween/ Thirty more days 'til Halloween/ Silver Shamrock."
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Oct 2, 2017 11:00:38 GMT
You're most welcome stefancrosscoe . As always thanks so much for your very kind words to me here and your quality reply as well . At the moment here and like every Friday at 12 PM at this time I'm watching The Original Star Trek Marathon on the channel BBC AMERICA . However sometimes in between commercials - well like today for instance . I do tend to check around the other channels to see what else might fill that time until going back to Star Trek . Well as luck would have it today I found a film that I have mentioned on this forum / boards here before and never tire of watching this is a really good one too . Burnt Offerings (1976) I always wondered if the writer / director Stephen King got his inspiration of this movie for his own 2 TV Miniseries movies Rose Red (2002) The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer (2003) Enjoy your weekend too stefancrosscoe and we will be chatting here or on these other boards again soon . OH PS - In the spirit of Star Trek Marathon Fridays - Star Trek jam session I wish I my TV channels would show these kind of movies, but last night I did get to see again some of the The Man With The Naked Gun films, (I already own them on DVD, but sometimes I just like to see them on TV) and the second one is hilarious (well they are all funny, but the part 2 and a half is a slapstick riot). Burnt Offerings looks like a good film, or at least if one is looking on by the solid cast but those haunted/ghost house films (specially of the 70s) are something I always enjoyed, so thanks for brining it up. Rose Red I saw a couple of years ago, like the Shining mini-series (1997), I was not impressed, maybe I have to give them both a second go, but there was just too many "eccentric" or sterotypical figures which annoyed me, and it kind of put a big downer on my movie experience of them, that and of course, that one was made many years after one of the greatest horror films of all time (The Shining 1980), and I think I gave both of the mini-series a 4/10 rating. Anyway, I do hope you had a good weekend and saw some great movies. Take care for now.
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Oct 2, 2017 11:06:10 GMT
"Breeders" (1986) Low budget film about Aliens raping and impregnating women. Gross out effects. "Species; The Awakening" (2008) Not as good as part 1. But not awful. Pretty much similar setup with a new female lead. I remember seeing Breeders a couple of years ago, not a bad movie considering the low budget cost and the acting so I kind of liked it. It did share some similarities to another great and a bit underrated/forgotten 80s sci-fi/monster horror title, Humanoids from the Deep (1980) which is that they both features horrifying creatures that wants to mate with women and kill of all men or the competition. Species 1 and 2 are entertaining sci-fi/horror movies, with a good cast and a stunning Natasha Henstridge in the leading part, and I got a hold of the complete box set (I had not idea they went out and made more of these films after the second one), so I am planning on maybe watching part 3 and 4 later this month.
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Post by mszanadu on Oct 2, 2017 18:23:11 GMT
I watched another really good classic one last night on DVD with actress Margot Kidder . Sisters (1973 film)I'm watching another one right now on the SyFy Channel - Night of the Wild (2015) IMPO - This one is just OK so far but it's still a bit amusing in a dark comedy sort of way . Hi mszanadu. What a superb horror thriller Sisters is. So bizarre, chilling, and very suspenseful. It was Brian De Palma's first foray into the genre and put him right on the map. You must own the Criterion DVD, correct? I'm hoping Criterion will release a new edition on blu ray. Hey there Dramatic Look Gopher . I so agree this excellent film Sisters from 1973 is definitely unique and IMPO a bit ahead for it's time as well ( especially the big shocking murder scene too - still quite effective ) . I was actually surprised and impressed the very first time I discovered this film was from the work of Brian De Palma too . It seemed to be done in Alfred Hitchcock fashion which I really liked also . As I have mentioned before one director inspiring the other is always a welcomed feature for me here as well . I do have the Criterion DVD in my collection and I also agree a Blu ray version would be excellent for this well deserved classic film also . Thanks so much Dramatic Look Gopher for your reply .
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Post by mszanadu on Oct 2, 2017 19:33:28 GMT
Nosferatu (1922)
I was so excited about starting this thing off, that I where thinking of maybe seeing 3-4 movies last night, however I think that I will watch just one, each day as I might easily "overdo" it, far too early on, and beside the 31 horror films, I also have just recently began to re-watch Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and also have 20-25 (maybe more) other films from all kind of genres that I have planned on getting through in October, so I think for me, I just have to take it one step at a time. Anyway, I decided that this is the right opportunity to start watching and filling up the holes of shame, when it comes to seeing old classics and most of these films I have owned for many years, so my focus will be directed at titles that I have never seen, or at least start up the month with those, and then see where I am headed. My first horror movie pick was the classic Nosferatu (1922), which I have never seen before, but heard and read so many great things about. I have only seen a few clips from the movie, often referenced or parodied in many films and TV-shows, usually with short scenes featuring Max Schreck as Count Orlok, but never any scenes that involves any of the other characters in the film. This would also be the first time that I saw a full length silent film (not counting in the Charlie Chaplin or Harold Lloyd short films) and so I was postively surprised at how fast-paced it really was, however it became very clear to me that I had went in with maybe too big expectations and since I had seen most of the other films based up on Bram Stoker's famous book, Nosferatu did not exactly made me a die hard fan from just one viewing. The most positive parts from the movie is that the pace is very impressive and where some of the locations/scenery are stunning to look at, especially for such an old movie, and of course the use of gothic/dark fantasy settings made a big impression also, with the icing on the cake being the legendary performance by Max Schreck as Count Orlok, and while his version sure was creepy and memorable (had I seen it as a kid, it would surely given me some heavy doses of nightmares to come) it still did not come off as evil or intimidating as other classic vampire/monsters where my 10/10 scale for most evil/disturbing vampire (that I have seen) goes to Kurt Barlow (Reggie Nalder) in the Stephen King mini-series Salem's Lot (1979). But Schreck did good, not question about that, and I think with what little scenes he had as Count Orlok, his version is a solid 7/10. The not so good parts/negative was that I wished there would be more focus on what went on at the Orlok mansion/castle, it happened way too fast and the other characters was just not close of being very interesting and I really wished that the film would have included more scenes with Orlok and Hutter. My "biggest problem" was the use of music, not all was "bad" but the thing is that I have seen the classic Count Orlok/Dracula scenes (on the boat) in many films where it often have used some other kind of music/score and a lot of times I felt that the music in Nosferatu was too much "cheerful" circus music or too theatrical and not the least scary or unsettling. I know, I know, this was my first silent movie and I am just not used to seeing that kind of films, so I have for the moment little to compare it with. All in all, Nosferatu is a classic film and one every movie lover/horror fan should at least watch once in their life, and I do admire/respect it for its influence on the movie/horror genres very much, however it will likely not go down as an instant "love at first sight" 10/10 masterpiece movie experience. Nosferatu will stay in my DVD/movie collection, not doubt about that, but the chances that I will re-watch it any time soon, are very small. I have done my part, I went in, saw it and hoped for the best and I cannot give it a higher rating than what I think it deserved after a first time view which for me lies somewhere between a 5,5/10 and a very kind 6/10. So, I decided to give it a very generous: 6/10
By the way, I did try and see Orlok the Vampire in 3D (2009), which was either released or distributed by Troma Productions and brought along with a very "funny" introduction by LLoyd Kaufman. I actually got fooled into buying this back in 2010, thinking it was the original Nosferatu in 3D, (which is pretty much is) with the stupid 3D glasses and all, however I did not expect such a new low from Troma. Orlok the Vampire in 3D was just a pathetic, desperate and very unfunny attempt of doing a "parody" and I did not manage to sit through more than a few minutes of this annoying piece of shit where as Troma have re-scored the original soundtrack and included new text/subtitles and put in all kind of awful/annoying sounds/noises to be played along with the original 1922 film. I see it have only 5 votes or less on IMDb, and as I mentioned, I did not want to waste one hour and 40 minutes of re-watching Nosfeatu complete with bottom of the barrel "comedy" by Troma, so instead I throw it where it belongs, in the garbage. Sorry about the double-post, as I am not sure if I did put my mini-review of Nosferatu (October challenge) in the right place (the progression thread) or if this is the place or another thread? Well I guess the old saying stands true - " great minds do think alike " here stefancrosscoe . I also finally did get to see this silent film Nosferatu (1922) for the very first time late last night on the channel TCM ( Turner Classic Movies ) and now I can check this one off my very extended movie list too . BTW - A really excellent put reply here for this unique silent film and I also agree on all points of this film here too . I would have liked to seen more of Count Orlok's previous & private " living space " before his big move to a more active town also . If you are interested in viewing any other silent films in the near future ( and since you mentioned here this was your very first one ever too ) . I would also recommend this one that I discovered on TCM and was of excellent quality overall as well . The Scarlet Letter (1926 film) Again thanks so much stefancrosscoe for your quality post on this silent film too .
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Post by lostinlimbo on Oct 3, 2017 7:22:56 GMT
Dead Meat (2004)
Do you like your zombie films without the constant melodrama, but with a primal narrative stripped down to basics, overly familiar in pattern (with lots of driving, stomping, running, fighting and hiding) and choked with practical gore effects? Then the low-budget Irish zombie horror DEAD MEAT might be right up your alley.
The plot is of no real importance, no topical message (unless you count its abrupt, non-resolution ending), and no flesh (thematically speaking), other than to set-up people surviving a mad cow disease outbreak infecting the populace of an Irish countryside, turning them into devouring flesh-eating zombies. There’s a quick exposition dump of what’s happening when a car radio is turned on, but these characters mainly learn it the hard way. Each arising situation seems to finish on zombie carnage in what starts off as a couple, eventually becomes hordes upon hordes of living dead; you even a get mad cow or two joining in on the mauling action. Some neat zombie kills involving a vacuum cleaner, high heels and screwdriver too. You got to remember though, this is really low-budget and for majority it shows in all aspects. It was actually more limited than I was expecting, but the gushing effects and cadaverous make-up while varied (even using some raw leftovers from the butchers) are competently executed.
The opening moments of the couple driving in the countryside feels like a headnod towards the intro of “Night of the Living Dead”, and the filming style with its swirling, lively camera-work had me thinking of “The Evil Dead”, but without the kinetic flair. Actually the way it was filmed, felt a little maverick and experimental in its constant disorienting changes in cinematography and editing. Set-pieces can get repetitive and lighting during the night time scenes is simply a flashlight, but it never lingers and the vast rural backdrop serves its purpose in creating a real unnerving sense of hopelessness and isolation from the real world. The characters are paper thin, but sometimes it was hard to understand what was being said, especially when they mumble or bicker, due to a couple of thick accents. In a way it wasn’t easy to connect with these characters, but there was a believable quality to the performances. Actually come to think of it, maybe there were a few moments of character insight, but it just went over my head because I kept finding myself going in and out due to the heavy accents?
“DEAD MEAT” won’t blow you away. It doesn’t add anything new to the sub-genre, or pretend to be anything other than homage, but I did enjoy the simplicity and abundance of low-grade gore.
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Oct 3, 2017 9:58:33 GMT
October Horror Challenge - Day Two: Dracula (1931)
Another day, another classic monster/horror film to watch. This one, I should feel kind of embarrassed about, as it turned out that I did not just have one copy of it standing in my movie collection, but FOUR! different DVDs releases, and still I had not seen it before. That is not very impressive when you are a horror fan, but first time for everything or so they say. Two it said was remastered (and they were both part of the Universal Monster/Horror Legacy box-set (2004) and where the other two was a single DVD edition relased with a blue/yellow artwork cover (2002) and the last one was a spanish dubbed release, and I have no idea how many releases or version there was or is of Dracula (1931) but I went with the one that ran for about 71 minutes of time (2002 and 2004). Anyway, onto the film itself. Dracula opens up with a big introduction along with a familiar sounding soundtrack/music and where I thought the pace was suprisingly fast for such an old film as in Nosferatu (1922), it is amazing to see how much it had changed less than nine years later. But, I gotta admit it was hard at times, not to crack a few smiles, when first catching up with Renfield (actor Dwight Frye delivered one hell of performance as the spider-eating lunatic, and almost stole the show from the Dark Prince himself) as I was constantly reminded of the hilarious Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) by Mel Brooks, and where the similarties are at times so close to each other that it made me respect the 1931 film even more, as it was obvious how much it "sat the standard" for the "modern" vampire/Dracula films, as I had always thought Mel Brooks had pretty much just "copied" the 1992 Dracula film and its use of locations, music and acting, so that was a surprise. Where as Max Schreck was downright creepy to an almost animal like behavior (with what little time he had onscreen in Nosferatu) Bela Lugosi's version of Count Dracula is a completely different beast, and one that comes with a different kind of presence where as the beastlike appearance of Schreck is almost gone and instead we now see this elegant, intelligent and well dressed gentleman who seems to fit right in with the more modern times of London, well beside the fact that he is an immortal, bloodsucking, evil vampire. The locations, music, characters are all right on with what I always I though of as the "classic" look of an Dracula/vampire adventure, and Bela Lugosi and Dwight Frye was fantastic to see in their parts. My only little "complaint" about the film is that the pace/runtime goes maybe a bit too "fast" in certain places where characters such as Mina, John Harker and Lucy ends up as small minor figures that I wished had gotten maybe a bit more attention, but again this was really the Bela Lugosi show, he commands and dominates every single scene and while I have not seen every Dracula movie ever made, this 1931 version might just be one of the best performances of Count Dracula that I have ever seen. I ended up being very impressed and I had a very good time watching it, however I will not hand out an 8/10 after just one viewing, as I have seen far too little classic horror movies, but I do believe the chances are postive that with a re-watch, Dracula (1931) will end up with a higher rating in the future. However, from a first viewing movie experience, I end up giving it a: 7/10 "Twenty-nine more days 'til Halloween/ Halloween/ Halloween/ Twenty-nine more days 'til Halloween/ Silver Shamrock."
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Oct 3, 2017 10:43:44 GMT
Well I guess the old saying stands true - " great minds do think alike " here stefancrosscoe . I also finally did get to see this silent film Nosferatu (1922) for the very first time late last night on the channel TCM ( Turner Classic Movies ) and now I can check this one off my very extended movie list too . BTW - A really excellent put reply here for this unique silent film and I also agree on all points of this film here too . I would have liked to seen more of Count Orlok's previous private " living space " before his big move to a more active town also . I really miss TCM, as here in Norway they decided to shut the scandinavian or nordic version down a year ago (or so I was told by a email back in 2016) which is a shame, as now there are so few movie/film channels left, well beside the more recent/big Hollywood budget films but the usual TV-channels rarely if ever send any of the older classic movies, instead they just keep on showing the same reruns of the same reruns of old 80s, 90s and early 00s sitcoms, soap-operas, and endless run of CSI and all of its clones/spin-off, 24/7. I read almost the entire Dracula book by Bram Stoker, last year and the chapter which I thought was most chilling were the one where Jonathan Harker is captured and discover all kind of gruesome and unhuman behaviours which takes place at Count Draculas castle during the nights, and that is something which I wished more Dracula/vampire films would dig further down into and while I am not a huge fan of the 1992 Dracula movie, that one I remember featured some very unsettling scenes which was close to what went on in the book, or so I think. If you are interested in viewing any other silent films in the near future ( and since you mentioned here this was your very first one ever too ) . I would also recommend this one that I discovered on TCM and was of excellent quality overall as well . The Scarlet Letter (1926 film) Again thanks so much stefancrosscoe for your quality post on this silent film too . It nice to see that you too are deep in to the horror adventures of October, mszanadu. And also thanks for the recommendation of The Scarlet Letter, I will take a closer look, later on.
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Post by forca84 on Oct 4, 2017 0:26:25 GMT
I remember seeing Breeders a couple of years ago, not a bad movie considering the low budget cost and the acting so I kind of liked it. It did share some similarities to another great and a bit underrated/forgotten 80s sci-fi/monster horror title, Humanoids from the Deep (1980) which is that they both features horrifying creatures that wants to mate with women
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"Breeders" was pretty ok. If a bit short. I read it was remade. Might try to track it down one day.
I haven't seen "Humanoids from the deep" but have heard of it. (I believe it's also been remade as well.)
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