*** Official 10th Annual HTF October Scary Movie Challenge 2009 *** - Page 10

020) 10/07/2009 The Mummy's Tomb (1942)

Although made two years after The Mummy's Hand (1940), this first sequel takes place thirty years after the previous film's events.  The frist ten minutes or so of the film consist of recap footage from The Mummy's Hand which means Tomb effectively runs about 50 minutes.  Turhan Bey plays the mummy's puppet master this time, exacting revenge on the tomb desecrators from The Mummy's Hand.  This means the slow-moving mummy (Lon Chaney) kills a bunch of feeble old people.  The film is mechanical and distasteful, but does feature a memorably firey climax.

021) 10/07/2009 Night Monster (1942)

Nifty B-horror/mystery from Universal has title character stalking Ingston Towers and murdering sundry guests and employees.  Bela Lugosi and Lionel Atwill offer reliable performances and the rest of the cast is also strong.  No prize for guessing who the murderer is.  But this film succeeds thanks to its atmosphere and fast pace.

022) 10/07/2009 Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)

Universal's first monster rally is one of the best.  Foolish grave robbers disturb the tomb of Lawrence Talbot (Lon Chaney) and allow the wolf to prowl again.  Talbot tracks down the gypsy Maleva (Maria Ouspenskaya) and learns of Dr. Frankenstein's experiments.  He later discovers the Monster (Bela Lugosi) frozen in ice.  Throw in an ambitious doctor (Patrick Knowles) with an itching to restore the Monster's power and you have the recipe for a battle between two of the classic monsters.  Doesn't get high marks in terms of continuity, but it is tremendous fun.

Angel is a spin-off from the excellent Buffy, the Vampire Slayer television series.  Angel (David Boreanaz) is an at-one-time vicious vampire, who, thanks to a gypsy curse, has his soul returned.  Now, plagued with guilt over his 200+ reign of terror, he is trying to make amends for the wrong he's done.  He starts a private detective agency in Los Angeles to help those in need and is assisted by Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter), the office administrator who has visions of attacks by other-worldly creatures; Wesley Wyndham-Pryce (Alexis Denisof), one-time rogue demon hunter; and Charles Gunn (J. August Richards), a young man who fought back against the vampires terrorizing his neighborhood and now helps out the agency.  Their arch nemisis is the law firm of Wolfram and Hart, who protect all things evil and plot against Angel Investigations at every turn.  During the second season, Angel launched a personal vendetta against the law firm and fired all three of his employees.  They, in turn, continued the detective agency's operations without Angel.

001) 10/04/2009 Angel Season 2, Episode 16: Epiphany (2000) 

After sleeping with Darla (Julie Benz) the vampire, Angel realizes he's made a mistake in firing Cordelia, Wesley, and Gunn and tries to win back their friendship and trust by assisting them in their latest case, which concerns a group of ticked-off demons whose would-be offspring the trio destroyed.  A typically strong episode, with some heartfelt moments as Angel tries to mend the broken ties.

002) 10/04/2009 Angel Season 2, Episode 17: Disharmony (2000) 

Cordelia's high school friend Harmony shows up in Los Angeles, except she's a vampire who cannot be trusted.  This episode features the amusing concept of a vampire motivational speaker (he's even written a book) who wants vampires to realize their full potential.  The accent is on humor this time out making for a relaxed outing after the emotionally trying previous episode.
 
003) 10/05/2009 Angel Season 2, Episode 18: Dead End (2000) 

Cordelia has a vision about a man stabbing his own eye, and attorney Lindsey McDonald's (Christian Kane) new hand (Angel chopped off the hand in a previous episode) is writing "kill" at every opportunity.  Angel and Lindsey begrudging work together to solve the riddle.  If you've seen the film Body Parts you know where this is going.  But it's always fun to watch Angel kick some evil lawyer ass.

004) 10/06/2009 Angel Season 2, Episode 19: Belonging (2000) 

A particularly vicious demon comes through a dimensional portal to wreak havoc on LA.  But when the Angel team starts investigating, they find a link to a missing student who disappeared five years ago.  This is the first of a four-part storyline that wraps up the second season.

005) 10/06/2009 Angel Season 2, Episode 20: Over the Rainbow (2000) 

When Angel, Wesley, and Gunn realize Cordelia was transported through the dimensional portal along with the demon, they must find a way to bring Cordelia back.  Meanwhile Cordelia has been sold as a slave in Pylea, the name of the dimension.  This episode provides much background on one of the frequently seen characters, Lorne (Andy Hallet), who owns a karaoke bar where people come to have their fortunes told.  It turns out Lorne escaped from the very dimension that now has Cordelia.

006) 10/06/2009 Angel Season 2, Episode 21: Through the Looking Glass (2000) 

Because of Cordelia's visions, she has been made Queen of Pylea and is able to save the Angel team.  But there may be a catch to Cordelia's good fortune.  Meanwhile Angel finds the missing student Winifred "Fred" (Amy Acker), whose years in Pylea have driven her mad.

007) 10/06/2009 Angel Season 2, Episode 22: There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb (2000) 

When Cordelia learns the true nature of her royalty she and the Angel team must save the enslaved and escape from Pylea before an evil council brings about a horrific prophecy.  Good wrap-up to the enjoyable trip to Pylea.  But the episode ends on a somber note when Angel learns something about Buffy.

008) 10/07/2009 Angel Season 3, Episode 01: Heartthrob (2001) 

Angel kills a vampire he used to hunt with, and now her lover is out for revenge.  Meanwhile Winifred, now living in the hotel that serves as Angel Investigations' office, tries to come to terms with being back in her own world.  Good season opener ends with a real "wow" of a scene involving Darla, the vampire who made, and then made it with, Angel.

009) 10/07/2009 Angel Season 3, Episode 02: That Vision Thing (2001) 

Cordelia's visions start to take a nasty turn when they bring about physical harm.  Angel discovers that Wolfram & Hart is behind it and want Angel to perform a mysterious task in exchange for Cordelia's release.  Meanwhile a pregnant Darla decides it's time to tell Angel he's going to be a father.  A rather emotional episode due to Cordelia's suffering, and one which starts laying the groundwork for the main storyline of the season.

Edited by John Stell - 10/8/09 at 9:01am

First time viewings in red. 

3.  Four Sided Triangle (1953).  Three childhood friends, Bill (Stephen Murray), Robin (John Van Eyssen) and Lena (Barbara Payton), reunite as adults and develop a "Universal Replicator" that transforms energy into a duplicate of any piece of matter placed into the machine.  Bill and Robin have both loved Lena all their lives, but when Robin asks Lena to marry him, Bill is so distraught he modifies the Replicator with the help of Dr. Harvey (James Hayter) to duplicate living matter.  When Lena learns of Bill's love, she agrees to be cloned by the machine.  Unfortunately, the Replicator works too well -- the clone, named Helen, is also in love with Robin.

This Terence Fisher film is a major advance over his earlier Stolen Face, which dealt with the same theme.  This time, instead of plastic surgery, there is a full-blown sci-fi device in the Replicator, which is an impressive prop in its own right, harkening back to the machinery in Universal's Frankenstein series.  What makes this film different is that all of the lead characters are sympathetic.  They are friends and do want what is best for each other, but that sympathy leads them into a misguided act.  The film ends in what perhaps may be the first of Hammer's patented fiery climaxes.

 

The film also benefits from another fine score from Malcolm Arnold, performed by Muir Mathieson and the Royal Philharmonic. 

My tally.

October 7th:
THE WALKING DEAD(1936)
This is one of Karloff's best performances, as the innocent John Ellman. Ellman is framed for murder and electrocuted, but revived by a benevolent scientist(Edmund Gwenn). After his revival, the new Lazarus becomes an instrument of God's mercy and wrath. Beautifully directed by Michael Curtiz, this is one of the finest horror films of the 1930's. The new DVD from Warners is quite good. Don't expect a lot of digital cleanup; the film looks essentially like it did on laserdisc, albeit with the higher resolution of DVD. It's filmlike and holds up well on a large projected screen.

They shot The Blob relatively close to my house in Pennsylvania. The movie theater that's featured in the movie is still there and I think the seats are even still the same. The times I've gone to the theater, I sit up in the balcony (a la the teens in the movie).

Two of my favourite classic horrors, but I have to confess to enjoying the Spencer Tracy version more. March's Hyde is a little too neanderthal for my taste and unintentionally funny, especially at the end when it looks like he's wearing an ape mask. And Tracy has always been one of my favourite actors, the 1941 film has that MGM gloss, fantastic music score by Franz Waxman and Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner, wow! So that film gets the full whack 5 stars from me and 4 stars for the March version.

When Somerset Maugham visited the set of the Tracy version, he's reported to have said "Which one is he now? Jekyll or Hyde?"

Btw whats the correct way to pronounce Jekyll, does anyone really say "jeeekol"? It's only pronounced that way in the March version isn't it?

DAY SEVEN: OCTOBER 7TH

Clive Barker's-- {stops reading and moves on}



27. CLIVE BARKER'S THE PLAGUE. (2006) So the director produced a different cut of this film, and now its stars, including E.T.'s mother Dee Wallace, seem to back him up that a miracle has happened and the new cut somehow dips this stinker in awesome sauce. (And a plate of poo looks better with a small pile of parsley on the side) I don't see how this will ever be anything other than a slow moving, badly acted misfire along the lines of THE HAPPENING (which I actually kind of liked okay). It looks as if somebody was trying to capitalize on the zombie craze by remaking the craptastic drive-in classic from the 1980s called THE CHILDREN OF RAVENSBACK. I can see the appeal of that idea....



Well, you'd have to do better than these 2 flicks. Although the one from the 80s made buckets of money for some damn reason. Only positive with Barker's version is the old "could've been" ...certainly a creepy film is in this just waiting to happen.

HORRORTHON SUCCESS LEVEL: 4

Spankings all around!!
___________________________

Tapping virgins like maple trees!!!



28. COUNTESS DRACULA. (1971) Followed the disappointing SILENT HILL last year with this really fun Hammer I'd never seen and it saved the day. Didn't quite have the same effect this year. I guess it helped being a Saturday morning last year. This film would be perfect paired with another for a Saturday 2-fer at the cinema in the 1970s when a few dollars got you in with a bag of popcorn and a tall cup of Mr. Pibb while mom and dad were back at home having sex. The DVD even comes in a nifty (and dirt cheap) MGM double feature DVD set so you can relive that if you want to. Hammers should be easy during this thing no matter what day it is. I guess I was just in bad need of a lame nap. This 'thon thing is hard!! Anyway, the film is a terrific play on the vampire story with the Countess of the title discovering a new kind of wrinkle cream. that shiit works!! She turns into the lovely Ingrid Pitt. It would be a marketing nightmare if she wanted to get it on the retail shelves though...

HORRORTHON SUCCESS LEVEL: 7

Hammers are fun to play with...
________________________________

Sure is a long wait when you know the twist ending....



29. THE OTHERS. (2001) Seen it before. Several times, actually. Repeat viewing is a fraction of that initial viewing no matter what...well, I guess some brain matter removal would make it similar again but...not sure it's worth all that. At least I'm always impressed with it's atmosphere and 2 key performances: Kidman and that little girl who plays her daughter. But I have to call this another failed viewing for today. Although I found the ending riveting all over again. Otherwise I was just kind of sitting around waiting for it to end and considering turning in early.

HORRORTHON SUCCESS LEVEL: 6

Like a long drive in the fog...

30. (coming soon)

Started another but gave up and hit the sack. I'll watch the rest of that one and get back with it later...



The weekend is a little ruined. I won't be able to sleep in like I need to. Nothing I can do save quitting my lame job.  Hum....that's an idea....

John, I just completed Buffy and Angel not too long ago myself or I'd be watching some of it now. Great series.

Paranoiac (1963)

Oliver Reed is Simon the son of a wealthy family who stand to inherit his dead parents estate and is unwilling to share it with his sister. He slowly tries to drive her insane and he almost suceeds until his long lost presumed dead brother returns to mess up his plans.
 
This was quite an unexpected nifty thriller, quite tense and nerve-wracking with good performances from the cast. Oliver Reed played insanity quite well but his performance at times bordered on the camp especially his facial expressions in the scene when he's coming down the stairs towards the end. That was the only moment in this tense film where I laughed. This was a great one from Hammer films.


Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959) 

This is a little low budget gem from the 1950's. I found myself enjoying the story and the acting was good. The Leeches where hokey looking but I imagine it was adequate for the time. Considering how much I paid for the collection that this movie is part of, this was quite a bargain and this movie is worth owning.

Travis,

That's so neat.  Some of the original Night Of the Living Dead was shot in Pennsylvania (Evans City) as well.  I may need to make a trip there one day.  I'd at least like to see the Evans City Cemetery. :)

I live near Philadelphia so the best 'local' movies that I'm aware of are the original version of The Blob, Brian DePalma's Blow Out and Kevin Smith's Jersey Girl (if you knew what I look like, you can see me in the background as an extra).
Edited by TravisR - 10/8/09 at 2:25pm

I'd heard that author Robert Louis Stevenson intended for it to be pronounced that way, but I can't recall where.

Having seen forty or so Tracy movies I have no problem in saying JEKYLL AND HYDE is not only his worst picture but also his worst performance.  His hatred of the story, production and studio is on full display.

Nosferatu: The Friendly Vampire (2004)
 

Karla Jean Davis
 

Technically impressive 16mm film has Nosferatu (Justin Snavely) trying to make friends but due to his reputation as a blood sucker, most stay away from him.  The poor guy must ride his bike around all day looking for friends but not being able to find any.  At first I'm sure most people would just look at the title, roll their eyes and move on but that would be a shame because this is a pretty good little homage to the classic 1922 film that blends the perfect amount of style with the campy storyline.  Yes, I think the film would have been better with a somewhat better story where something more than what we're shown happens but I can overlook this due to the wonderful look of the movie.  If you didn't know any better you'd think you were actually watching a silent movie has Davis does a wonderful job at recreating those classic silent movies.  The film also benefits from a nice score and some good cinematography.  Fans of that original film will want to check this one out as a nice trip down memory lane and it would be even better after viewing the original.
 

Fly, The (1958)
 

Kurt Neumann
 

Still effective sci-fi from Fox has a wife (Patricia Owens) calling her brother-in-law (Vincent Price) and confessing to killing her scientist husband (Al Hedison).  At first the wife won't tell the motive behind the killing but she eventually opens up about an experiment he was working on that went horribly wrong and crossed parts of his body, including his head, with that of a fly.  It's funny but this is a film I didn't care too much for as a child but this latest viewing, my first in over a decade, really had me entertained and caught up in the story, which is a lot more of a thinking man's drama than all out monster movie.  I think the film works so well because it's easy to get caught up in the personal drama of a wife desperately trying to save her husband from a horrible fate that gets worse and worse with each passing moment.  I think the film does a great job in the opening segment at building up the suspense of what led up to the murder.  When the flashbacks start up we're already drawn into the story and we actually care as to what happens and how it plays out.  Hedison is very good in his moments at playing the husband but he's even better when it comes time for him to act without words and his face hidden under a wrap.  Owens is also very good in her role even thought here are a few moments where she goes a tad bit over the top.  Price is great as usual and Herbert Marshall does a very good job in the role of the Inspector.  The special effects in the film aren't anything overly ground breaking but they're effective for what they are.  The sound effects are another major plus especially one scene with a cat's meow.  Then, of course, we have that legendary ending which has to be one of the greatest in film history. 
 

Return of the Fly (1959)
 

Edward Bernds
 

Sequel to THE FLY takes place fifteen years after the events in that film.  Here, the son (Brett Halsey) of the original scientist is trying out daddy's machine and ends up with the head and arm of a fly after his assistant double crosses him.  Whereas the original film was a rather smart sci-fi tale, this one here pretty much throws all brains out the door and instead just delivers an old-fashioned monster-on-the-loose flick.  There's certainly nothing wrong with that as in the end this is a pretty good little gem that manages to be quite fun.  This film obviously falls into that "B" category as Fox cut the budget in half, which explains the B&W photography and the smaller sets and all around attempt at doing something bigger.  This really doesn't hurt the film too much because, as I said earlier, this film here is pretty much your typical monster running around killing for revenge.  Halsey is pretty good in his role as the studio was obviously hoping this type of film would bring him stardom, which it didn't.  Vincent Price is back in the role of the uncle and manages to deliver a nice performance even though it's reported most of his scenes were cut out of the shooting script.  The make up effects are extremely cheap and don't look as good as the previous film but I still like the look of the monster here with the bigger head.
 

Last Man on Earth, The (1964)
 

Ubaldo Ragona
 

Rather bland adaptation of Richard Matheson's novel would be made a lot better in future remakes THE OMEGA MAN and I AM LEGEND.  A mysterious plague leaves a scientist (Vincent Price) as the last man on Earth.  During the day he goes around looking for supplies while at night he must keeps the ghouls out of his home.  He hopes at some point he'll be able to locate other survivors when he thinks he finally has.  This movie really isn't bad but there's really no need in watching it as it has certainly been surpassed by the two future movies as well as countless others that borrowed the same storyline and did a lot more with it.  From what I've read the film had a rather questionable production history, which ended the film in Italy where it had to suffer with some rather poor dubbing as well as some rather bland sets.  The entire reason to watch the movie would be for the performance of Price but he doesn't get to do as much as one would hope.  The narration really leaves Price, the actor, sitting on the bench way too many times when it would have been a lot better having him speaking out his thoughts and feelings.  He manages to be very effective in various scenes, including those dealing with his families deaths but in the end I think he's a little bit too good for the material here.  Another problem is the lack of an atmosphere and I must admit that I was never really worried about the ghouls/vampires as they too come off rather weak here. 
 

Whisper (2007) B+
The devil's work is child's play

One of the better recent entries in the "creepy young child" genre. Ex-con Max (Josh Holloway, Lost) is trying to make a new start after his release from prison and wants to purchase and open a small cafe. Unfortunately, he's unable to land the bank loan necessary for the purchase, so he falls back in with his old crime buddies to pull off a kidnapping/ransom job to raise cash. However, they apparently took on more than they could handle by kidnapping young David, as odd and deadly incidents begin to befall the group of kidnappers.

Definite shades of The Omen here, but this is miles better than the recent remake of that film. Some genuinely creepy moments are punctuated by the requisite cheap jump scares, but overall an atmospheric and engaging film. Very good performance by Blake Woodruff as David and a number of twists keep you off balance until the end. Not high art by any means, but a neat little thriller. Also features Dule Hill (Psych, The West Wing) in a small supporting role.

I think that the pronunciation of "Jekyll" is addressed on the commentary track on the 1932/1941 double feature.  Greg Mank confirms that "Jeeeekol" was Stevenson's choice.

I agree that the 1932 film is far superior and consider it one of the 5 best horror movie is of the 1930s.  The Tracy version is too genteel compared to the March version.  As sometimes happens with adaptations of "classics", the later version plays more like a historical costume drama while the earlier version emphasizes the horror elements of the original story and has a surprising sexual charge.  A lot of that is down to director Reuben Mamoulian who delivers a very sophisticated movie.

Out of

Laid to Rest
This slasher film picked up some buzz this year and deservedly so for the excellent effects, brutal kills and mysterious killer.  However the rest of the movie is very poor.  The script is particularly unimaginative and lazy with the characters visiting and revisiting various locales without too much reason.  Also the final revelation is rather uninteresting.  Still, if you are in the mood for a bloody modern slasher with a minimum of noticeable CGI effects, this is the one to see.

Octane 1/2
Offbeat horror movie about an argumentative mother and daughter driving home at night who encounter some very strange characters and happenings during their trip.  The director seems to be going for a David Lynch vibe and there are a number of unsettling scenes but it all devolves into a pretentious finale.  I was reminded of better films like The Hitcher, Road Games and Race with the Devil which kept the focus on the horror not on the philosphical nonsense.  Still worth a look.

 Alien 3 (1992) 

I know this isn't a popular opinion but I always liked this installment of the Alien series. Perhaps not as exciting as the first two, this is a darker, dirtier, moodier story. In this special edition version, they restored some footage that was cut. Although alot of it was unfinished, it fleshed out the story and characters better. Glad to see this one again. 

In Her Mother's Footsteps (2006) 

A young  woman starts having visions of murdered women after moving into a house she inherited from her father. This is above average for a made for tv movie and it kept me engrossed for the duration. Recommended to those who like ghost stories.

Oct. 8:

Films:

Halloweentown II (Kalabar's Revenge) (2001)

This is one of four films in the series.  Our children love watching these films every year.  I think this one is the most frightening, especially when we get to the Halloween party.  Here, a spell put on the crowd turns everyone into the character that they've decided to come as, and an added bonus in the scene prevents anyone from being able to remove their mask.  There is also some first-rate make-up for these masks.

Update:

Films:

01. The Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954)  1/2
02. Burnt Offerings (1976)
03. R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour (2007)  1/2
04. The Three Stooges ("We Want Our Mummy") (1939)  1/2
05. The Three Stooges ("Spook Louder") (1943)
06. The Three Stooges ("Hot Scots") (1948)
07. The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)  1/2
08. Games (1967) 
09. The Monster That Challenged the World (1957)
10. Halloweentown (1998)
11. The Screaming Skull (1958)  1/2
12. Tales of Terror (1962) 
13. Halloweentown II (Kalabar's Revenge) (2001)

Television episodes: 

01. The Avengers ("Castle De'ath") (1965)
02. Charmed ("From Here To Eternity") (1999) 
03. Scooby Doo, Where Are You! ("A Night of Fright Is No Delight") (1969)  1/2
04. Scooby Doo, Where Are You! ("That's Snow Ghost") (1969)  1/2
05. Mr. Monk Goes Home Again (2005) 
06. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) 
07. Dark Shadows (Episode #78) (1966)
08. Dark Shadows (Episode #79) (1966)
 

 

The Incredible Petrified World (1957)

A diving bell accident traps four people in an underwater cavern where they encounter a survivor from a shipwreck. Pretty pathetically boring movie with literally nothing going on. Thank God, it was only 64 minutes long.

07) The Walking Dead (1936)

Interesting Warner Brothers blend of gangster, horror, and science fiction genres features Boris Karloff in a strong sympathetic performance as an innocent pianist framed for murder by a group of mobsters and their unscrupulous attorney. He is proven not guilty too late after he is sent to death in the electric chair, but is restored to life by dedicated scientist Edmund Gwenn (MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET). Weakly stumbling about like a frail reanimated corpse, Karloff still plays the piano as he is cared for by a guilt-ridden young woman (Marguerite Churchill of DRACULA'S DAUGHTER). The ghostly spectre of death with a gray streak through his hair slowly begins to remember the men who set him up, and becomes an angel of death, dealing the Wrath of God to them.  Well directed by Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA). 


TV:

16) The Munsters: "Far Out Munsters" -- '60s rock group The Standells rent out The Munsters' gloomy house for an evening of music and partying while the family is away, but the Munsters themselves crash the festivities and become the life of the party. 

The 41 Jekyll never did anything for me, it's rather bland despite the star power.  The 32 version of Jekyll is one of the finest pre-code horror films ever made - IMO of course.

Out of
First time viewings in BLOOD

Aliens vs Monsters (2009)
A group of monsters that the government has been capturing since the 1950's is formed into a team to fight off an alien invasion. What can I say but I had a lot of fun with this CG Animated parody of 50's sci-fi/monster movies. Yeah, yeah I know it's not Horror but it's got freakin monsters, so get over it!

Genuine: A Tale of a Vampire (1920)
German silent from the maker of Cabinet of Dr Caligari. The original plot is near incomprehensible due to this being truncated down to some 40 odd minutes and there's no vampire in sight but on the plus side this features some impressive visuals and is a prime example of Expressionism [strokes goatee]. I'd love to see the more complete version rumored to be locked away in a German vault.

Night Tide (1960)
Moody low budget thriller stars a young Dennis Hopper who meets and falls for a woman who may be a............... killer were-mermaid! (huh?). Now if Rod Serling wrote the screenplay for Splash this would be it.

The Mad Ghoul (1943)
Mad scientist George Zucco uses a Zombie making nerve gas on both his student and another man so he can steal the girl at the center of their love-triangle. Neither very good, nor awful. Just more of the same stale B fare that Universal churned out in the 1940's.

8) Zombi 2 (1979)

I've got to admit I probably enjoyed this more than Dawn of the Dead (1978), though its not as deep and meaningful. Its got a superb style to it. Music's a bit repetitive. Awesome awesome awesome special effects. Pet peeve of mine is when I watch vintage splatter films and the gore is unconvincing. Not to rag on Romero (or start a war or anything!) but I found the gore here much better done than in that particular 1978 zombie flick that inspired this one and a wave of italian-US hybrids that followed. I think when zombies bite people in Dawn of the Dead (1978) the flesh just falls away too easily, like it was only makeup; whereas in Zombi 2 (1979), they really dig in and pull chunks away, its insane! Obviously special effects are only one part of the soup, and I also found Zombi 2 to be superb in many other ways, particularly for what seems like a low-ish budget production. Definitely one of the best of the genre I've seen.

9) The Uninvited (2009)

Yeah, nice try. Not anywhere near as bad as The Unborn (2009), but that's no excuse. Its more a mystery with slight horror stylings; and as a mystery its quite entertaining. It certainly kept me wondering what or where its twist would come from. And, sadly, being a modern pop-horror ("horror") I knew a twist was coming.
 
10) Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)

Just so much fun I can hardly stand it. Really fun commentary by Dante, star Zack Galligan, producer and screenwriter. A really unique sequel put together by a really creative team who were basically told by a big studio to make another picture they could market as a "Gremlins" sequel, but other than that, go for your life! And they did, but instead of feeling indulgent, Gremlins 2 is a nicely controlled concept piece which injects the Gremlins from the first film into a "smart building" run like a dictatorship where no unauthorised artwork or plants or stones out of place are allowed. Its a great set up that, unlike the first movie, we actually root for the Gremlins, because there we didn't want that nice little town to be destroyed,  so we felt a bit sad about it being torn apart  (maybe... must re view it on BD!) but here we resent the smarmy building and really enjoy its being turned upside down. Stars Phoebe Cates and Zack "Gremlins" Galligan couldn't be more likeable, and are as cute and cuddly as Gizmo, and special effects here are more imaginative. Gizmo, at great expense to the pre-CGI effects team, gets to not only walk, but dance; an impressive feat for a puppet. The addition of a cloning lab to the smart building gives license to Gremlin hybrids: particularly memorable are the Bat Gremlin, the Spider Gremlin and the Vegetable Gremlin. A real gem; hugely enjoyable revisit to a series I adored when I was like ten!

11) Alien (1979)

Claustrophobic ensemble-cast pick-em-off monster flick that is equal parts sci fi and horror. Its plot progression, though, with a group of humans trying to survive a monster and being killed one by one, is more horror than Sci-Fi, which in my experience tends to emphasise discovery and exploration, in other words expansion, rather than diminishment. But maybe that makes no sense. Anyway, its an absolute rip-snorter and a personal favourite undiminished by age. I've seen it like four times, once in director's cut form on the big screen a few years ago.
Edited by Ben Cheshire - 10/9/09 at 5:45am

Zombieland - Woody Harrelson buckles up for the zombie apocalypse in this hilarious undead comedy.  Double-tap! 

*** out of ****


The Children - A virus turns kids into killers in this well-made-but-nothing-new thriller.

** out of ****

The Thaw - Rabid environmentalist Val Kilmer (looking a bit pudgy these days) uncovers a frozen wooly mammoth, an ancient corpse that harbors still-potent killer parasites.  Before you can say "Oh my God they're laying eggs inside me!" the little critters are doing just that.  Good-looking thriller hammers home its point.

**1/2 out of ****


Plague Town - A remote Irish village harbors a deadly secret:  killer mutant kids!  Hodgepodge of other deadly tyke pictures has atmosphere but little else.

** out of ****

023) 10/08/2009 Son of Dracula (1943) 

Dracula (Lon Chaney) travels to the good 'ole south to wed the heir to a fabulous estate.  But his pride has some startling plans of her own.  Horror-noir, courtesy of director Robert Siodmak, boasts some startling plot developments, moody visuals, and a less than happy ending.  Chaney is OK as the Count.  Evelyn Ankers is here too but isn't given much to do.

024) 10/08/2009 The Mummy's Ghost (1944) 

It turns out the gods now want Kharis and Ananka to be together, so Kharis returns from the ashes and finds Ananka in the form of Ramsey Ames.  John Carradine administers the tana leaves.  Routine mummy quickie is only for the die-hard fans.

 
When I keep reading reviews of this one, it makes me wish I had the 1944 version of the Uninvited with Ray Milland. Now that was a ghost story.

My wife and I watched the Buffy series during August/September and started watching Angel in September.  I cannot get her to watch old Universal horror movies but she looks forward to watching Angel.

I didn't think too much of Angel when he first appeared on Buffy but he grew on me so I'm enjoying his series.  I'm really looking forward to the final season because that's when Spike, my favorite character from the Buffy/Angel universe, shows up as a regular.

Edited by Mark Leiter - 10/9/09 at 7:43am

The only really surprising thing about The Uninvited (2009) was that I didn't despise it.