***Official 7th Annual HTF October Scary Movie Challenge*** (4 Viewers)

[SteveGon]

SteveGon's 2006 Scary Movie Challenge List!


Bolded titles are first viewings:

The Black Castle ***
The Strange Door ***
C.H.U.D. ***
Eaten Alive **1/2
The Thing With Two Heads **
The People Under the Stairs **1/2
Dead Life **1/2
Deathwatch **1/2
Tombs of the Blind Dead ***
Warning Shadows ***
Jigoku ***1/2
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein ***1/2
Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter **
Return of the Evil Dead ***
Salem's Lot (1979) ***
Reptilicus *1/2
Halloween II **1/2
Battlefield Baseball **1/2
Lucky **1/2
Frankenstein (2004) ***
The Faculty **1/2
The Omen (1976) ***
Phantom of the Paradise ***
Nightmare City ***
The Black Pit of Dr. M ***1/2
The Devil Rides Out ***
Son of Frankenstein ***1/2
Son of Dracula ***
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare **1/2
Patrick **1/2
I'll Bury You Tomorrow ***
Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood **
Revenge of the Living Dead Girls **1/2
Infection **1/2
Psycho III ***
Jeepers Creepers ***
Dark Waters **1/2
Gemini ****
The Mask of Fu Manchu ***1/2
The Boogieman Will Get You ***
The Unknown ***
The Crazies ***
The Devil's Backbone ***
Dementia ***
Carnival of Souls ***1/2
The Devil-Doll ***
Slither ***
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation *1/2
The Viy ***
Blood and Black Lace ***
Hide and Creep **1/2
That Little Monster **1/2
Close Your Eyes ***
The Birds ****
It's Alive ***
Bite Me! **1/2
Dead Men Walking ***
House **1/2
The Monster Hunter ***
Rabid ***
Horror of Dracula ***1/2
The Lair of the White Worm ***
Phenomena ***
Phantasm ***
Evil Dead II ***
Cemetery Man ***
Santa Sangre ****
Creature from the Black Lagoon ***
She-Wolf of London **1/2
The Thing ***


Total films viewed: 70

First viewings: 45

Favs (first viewings only): The Black Pit of Dr. M, Gemini, The Mask of Fu Manchu, Slither

 

[SteveGon]

Re: Alucarda

Actually that was directed by Juan Lopez Moctezuma, not Alejandro Jodorowsky. FWIW, I haven't seen Alucarda, but I have seen Moctezuma's The Mansion of Madness.

 

[TravisR]

10/31/06
I wrapped up my marathon with Night Of The Living Dead (1968). Another all time classic.

My only regrets are that I didn't watch more Universal Monster stuff (espcecially Frankenstein, Dracula, Dracula (Spanish language version), Bride Of Frankenstein, Creature From The Black Lagoon) and certain 1970's horror classics (especially Last House On The Left, The Exorcist, The Hills Have Eyes (1977), Dawn Of The Dead (1978)) or even a modern classic like The Devil's Rejects. Live and learn.

I wonder how many hundreds of murders I watched this month?

And my final list (with new viewings in bold):
01. Dr. Giggles
02. Halloween II
03. A Nightmare On Elm Street
04. The Funhouse
05. The Woods
06. The Devil Bat
07. Doctor X
08. The Return Of Doctor X
09. Mad Love (1935)
10. Venom (2005)
11. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
12. Friday The 13th
13. Don't Answer The Phone
14. Friday The 13th Part 2
15. Friday The 13th Part 3
16. May
17. Friday The 13th- The Final Chapter
18. Friday The 13th Part V- A New Beginning
19. Friday The 13th Part VI- Jason Lives
20. April Fool's Day
21. Friday The 13th Part VII- The New Blood
22. Friday The 13th Part VIII- Jason Takes Manhattan
23. Masters Of Horror: Pick Me Up
24. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2
25. Hell Night
26. Christine
27. The Fog (1980)
28. Body Parts
29. Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III
30. A Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge
31. A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
32. A Nightmare On Elm Street 4: The Dream Master
33. A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child
34. Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
35. Wes Craven's New Nightmare
36. Maniac (1980)
37. Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday
38. Jason X
39. Freddy Vs. Jason
40. The Prowler (1981)
41. Halloween III: Season Of The Witch
42. Halloween 4: The Return Of Michael Myers
43. Halloween 5: The Revenge Of Michael Myers
44. Halloween: The Curse Of Michael Myers
45. Halloween: H20
46. Halloween: Resurrection
47. Psycho (1960)
48. Psycho II
49. Psycho III
50. Scream
51. Scream 2
52. Scream 3
53. The Ghost Ship
54. Bedlam (1946)
55. Alien
56. Isle Of The Dead
57. The Leopard Man
58. The Body Snatcher
59. I Walked With A Zombie
60. The Seventh Victim
61. The Curse Of The Cat People
62. Psycho IV: The Beginning
63. The Thing
64. Cat People (1943)
65. Halloween
66. Jaws
67. Cabin Fever
68. The Evil Dead
69. Evil Dead II
70. The Night Stalker (1972)
71. The Night Strangler
72. Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

 

[Garrett Lundy]

Daylight spending/savings time mini-challenege: the day your clocks get set ahead/back watch 3 movies that have Time Travel as a central theme.

 

[Bob Turnbull]

Another fun year in the challenge...I surpassed my 2 previous years totals (34 each) by hitting 56. All of them first time viewings as well.

The best thing I saw this month was Lady Vengeance, but other notable titles were:

The Abominable Dr. Phibes
Acacia
Retribution
Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon - seriously, watch for this movie in wider release in January.


Final Tally of 2006 Scary Movie Challenge

 

[Ruz-El]

It's with tears in my eyes and a throbbing head ache that I post my wrap up to this years horror challenge. I'll keep my reviews breif.

Vincent Price on TMC!
Mask of the red death 3/5
Not the best of the price poes, but not terrible.

Fall Of The House Of Usher 4.5/5
The best of the Price Poes. It's been a while since I had seen this one, so it was quite a joy to become reaquanted.

Night Of The Lupus 5/5
I'm pissed that this was my final movie of the challenge, so out of pure spite Im giving it 5/5.

Final Tally

Never before seens in red:

1. Last House On the Left 3/5
2. Last House On A Dead End Street 3.5/5
3. The Candy Snatchers 3.5/5
4. Blood Feast 3/5
5. 2000 Maniacs 4/5
6. Color Me Blood Red 2/5
7. Blood Feast 2: All You Can Eat 2/5
8. This Island Earth 4/5
9. Frankenstein 5/5
10. the Day The Earth Caught Fire 1.5/5
11. DRACULA 4.5/5
12. Universal Monsters 4/5
13. Flesh For Frankenstein 3/5
14. Blood for Dracula 2/5
15. The Zodiac Killer 3/5
16. The Sex Killer 3.5/5
17. Zero In And Scream 1.5/5
18. Jungle Holocaust 3.5/5
19. Zombie Holocaust 4/5
20. Blue Sunshine 3/5
21. Sisters 4/5
22. SCHLOCK! The Secret history Of American Movies 3.5/5
23. Masters OF Horror : IMPRINT 4.5/5
24. Masters OF Horror : Dance Of The Dead 2.5/5
25. Frankenstein (EDISON) 3/5
26. Blacula 3.5/5
27. Night Key 2.5/5
28. Astounding She Monster 1.5/5
29. The Monster that challenged the World
30. The Tower Of London 3.5/5
31. The Climax 2/5
32. Erotic nights Of The Living Dead 1.5/5
33. Devil Girl From Mars 2.5/5
34. Invasion Of The Body Snatchers 3.5/5
35. Invasion Of The Suacermen 3/5
36. The strange Door 3/5
37. The Black Castle 3/5
38. I Married A Monster From Outerspace 4/5
39. Invasion Of The body Snatchers (1970's) 4/5
40. The Blob (1950's) 4/5
41. Final Destination 3 2/5
42. Undead 2.5/5
43. FAUST - Love Story Of The Damned 2/5
44. Jason Goes To Hell 4/5
45. Invisible Invaders 3.5/5
46. Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Amusement Park 2.5/5
47. From Beyond 3/5
48. Phantom of the Opera (1929) 2/5
49. Calling Doctor Death 3/5
50. Sadomania 2/5
51. Weird Woman 3/5
52. 99 Women 2.5/5
53. Dead Mans Eyes 2.5/5
54. Jesse James Meets Frankensteins Daughter 2/5
55. Revenge Of Doctor X (1970) 1/5
56. The Frozen Ghost 2.5/5
57. Tomb Of The Blind Dead 3.5/5
58. Lust At First Bite/Dracula Sucks 3/5
59. Return Of The Evil Dead 3.5/5
60. Ghost Galleon 2.5/5
61. Night of the Seagulls 3/5
62. HAXAN 4.5/5
63. Visitor Q 4/5
64. Willard 2.5/5
65. A Nightmare On Elm St. 4.5/5
66. Deathwatch 3/5
67. Invaders From Mars (195?) 2/5
68. It Came From Beneath The Sea 3/5
69. Strange Confession 3.5/5
70. Pillow Of Death 5/5
71. Joyride 4/5
72. The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms 4/5
73. It Came From Outerspace 3.5/5
74. THEM 4/5
75. The Dead Zone 4.5/5
76. New York Ripper 2/5
77. Eye's Without a Face 3.5/5
78. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 5/5
79. Frogggs 2/5
80. Hallow End 1.5/5
81. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 5/5
82. Abott & Costello Meet Frankenstein 4/5
83. Emmanuel And The Last Cannibals 1.5/5
84. Mask of the red death 3/5
85. Fall Of The House Of Usher 4.5/5
86. Night Of The Lupus 5/5

Not included: Buffy The Vampire Slayer season 4, Angel Season 1 .

86 viewed killed my total of 62 last year, 66 first timers. I consider it a success, but man, it nearly killed me. I'm totally burned out on movies for the first time in my life. I'm going to read a book and listen to music for a week or so.

Sci-fi challenge, SIGN ME UP!

 

[Rob Brown]

Bob, I know you meant to type "Boris Karloff"--such are the effects of watching so many horror movies in a short amount of time!

I failed miserably at this, my first challenge. I had hoped to exceed 31 films; instead, I petered out at 27. Oh well, there's always next year. Favorite new films of the challenge: THE BLACK CAT (1934), I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE (1943), CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE (1944), NIGHT CREATURES (1961).

New viewings: 18
Visits with old friends: 9
Grand total: 27

See my complete list of films viewed during this year's challenge on page 2, post #47.

 

[Bob Turnbull]

I'd be in for a Sci-Fi challenge as well.

Thanks for being so diplomatic Rob...Yeah, partially due to overload on horror films, partially due to being sleepy at the time and partially due to not being overly familiar with Bela or Boris' huge catalog of work.

Mostly though, I blame Joe Karlosi.

 

[Malcolm R]

[Cartman] This challenge has warped my fragile little mind! [/Cartman]

 

[Peter M Fitzgerald]

I hadn't updated my list in a couple of weeks, so here's my whole tally for this years challenge--

Ratings:

**** Excellent
*** Good
** Fair
* Poor
BOMB
(Fun Factor: an extra rating, if entertainment value exceeds a marginal film's limitations)

First-time viewings are in blue:

Sunday, 10/01

1. LET'S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH (1973) DVD, Rating: ***
2. TARANTULA (1955) DVD, Rating: ***
3. THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS (1958) DVD, Rating: * (Fun Factor: ***1/2)
4. GHOST OF DRAGSTRIP HOLLOW (1959) DVD, Rating: * (Fun Factor: **)

Monday, 10/02

5. THE WOODS (2005) DVD, Rating: **1/2
6. THE GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI (1966) DVD, Rating: BOMB

Tuesday, 10/03

7. THE BRAINIAC (1961-Mexican) DVD, Rating: BOMB (Fun Factor: ***)
8. AUDREY ROSE (1977) DVD, Rating: **1/2
9. THE SENTINEL (1976) DVD, Rating: **1/2

Wednesday, 10/04

10. THE MOLE PEOPLE (1956) DVD, Rating: ** (Fun Factor: **1/2)
11. THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957) DVD, Rating: ***1/2
12. TRILOGY OF TERROR (1975, TV Movie) DVD, Rating: ***1/2

Thursday, 10/05

13. THE LEGACY (1978-British) DVD, Rating: **1/2
14. THE BOWERY BOYS MEET THE MONSTERS (1954) VHS from TV, Rating: ** (Fun Factor: ***)

Friday, 10/06

15. CHRISTINE (1983) DVD, Rating: ***1/2

Saturday, 10/07

16. THE GREAT YOKAI WAR (2005-Japanese) DVD, Rating: ***1/2

Sunday, 10/08

17. BOO (2005) DVD, Rating: *1/2
18. ABOMINABLE (2005) DVD, Rating: **1/2

Monday, 10/09

19. INFRA-MAN (1975-Hong Kong) DVD, Rating: BOMB (Fun Factor: ****)

Tuesday, 10/10

20. THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932) DVD, Rating: ***
21. THE MONOLITH MONSTERS (1957) DVD, Rating: ***

Wednesday, 10/11

22. THE X FROM OUTER SPACE (1967-Japanese) DVR, Rating: *1/2 (Fun Factor: **1/2)

Thursday, 10/12

23. THE DEVIL BAT (1941) DVR, Rating: * (Fun Factor: ***)
24. MONSTER ON THE CAMPUS (1958) DVD, Rating: *1/2 (Fun Factor: ***)

Sunday, 10/15

25. FEAST (2006) DVD, Rating: ***
26. THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS (1991) DVD, Rating: **1/2
27. CAT'S EYE (1984) DVD, Rating: ***
28. THE OMEN (2006) DVD, Rating: ***
29. THE FUNHOUSE (1981) DVD, Rating: **1/2

Monday, 10/16

30. GOJIRA (1954-Japanese) DVD, Rating: ***1/2

Tuesday, 10/17

31. DEAD OF WINTER (1987) DVR, Rating: ***

Thursday, 10/19

32. SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM (1973) DVR, Rating: **1/2
33. MAD LOVE (1935) DVD, Rating: ****

Friday, 10/20

34. THE CHILD (1977) DVD, Rating: **
35. SLITHER (2006) DVD, Rating: ***

Saturday, 10/21

36. MONSTER HOUSE (2006, animated) DVD, Rating: **1/2
37. AN AMERICAN HAUNTING (2006) DVD, Rating: **1/2
38. THE TERROR (1963) DVR, Rating: **

Sunday, 10/22

39. THE VIRGIN SPRING (1960-Swedish) DVR, Rating: ****
40. I MARRIED A WITCH (1942) DVD-R, Rating: ***1/2

Monday, 10/23

41. BRIDE OF THE MONSTER (1956) DVD-R, Rating: BOMB (Fun Factor: ***)

Tuesday, 10/24

42. THE MASK (1961-Canadian, 3-D, a.k.a. "EYES OF HELL") DVD-R, Rating: **1/2 (Fun Factor: ***)

Wednesday, 10/25

43. HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS (1970) DVR, Rating: **1/2

Thursday, 10/26

44. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1962) DVR, Rating: *1/2
45. THE UNINVITED (1944) DVR, Rating: ***
46. THE DEVIL-DOLL (1936) DVD, Rating: ***1/2
47. DOCTOR X (1932) DVD, Rating: ***
48. LUST FOR A VAMPIRE (1970-British) DVD, Rating: **1/2

Friday, 10/27

49. THE LAND UNKNOWN (1957) DVD-R, Rating: **1/2 (Fun Factor: ***)
50. THE MASK OF FU MANCHU (1932) DVD, Rating: ***
51. MARK OF THE VAMPIRE (1935) DVD, Rating: **1/2

Saturday, 10/28

52. HORROR OF DRACULA (1958-British) DVD, Rating: ****
53. BRIDES OF DRACULA (1960-British) DVD, Rating: ***1/2
54. THE HAUNTING (1963) DVD, Rating: ***1/2
55. DRACULA, PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1965-British) DVD, Rating: ***

Sunday, 10/29

56. DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE (1968-British) DVD, Rating: ***1/2
57. CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN (1955) DVR, Rating: ** (Fun Factor: ***1/2)
58. TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA (1969-British) DVD, Rating: ***

Monday, 10/30

59. SCARS OF DRACULA (1970-British) DVD, Rating: **1/2
60. THE RETURN OF DR. X (1939) DVD, Rating: **
61. MOTHRA (1961-Japanese) DVD-R, Rating: ***1/2
62. PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES (1965-Italian) DVD, Rating: **1/2

Tuesday, 10/31

63. THE NORLISS TAPES (1973, TV Movie) DVD, Rating: ***
64. KRONOS (1957) DVD, Rating: ***
65. ISLAND OF LOST SOULS (1933) DVD-R, Rating: ****
66. DR. CYCLOPS (1940) DVD-R, Rating: ***
67. HOUSE OF WAX (1953) DVD, Rating: ****
68. WAR OF THE WORLDS (1953) DVD, Rating: ****
69. FRANKENSTEIN (1931) DVD, Rating: ****

Wednesday, 11/01 (the wee hours)

70. CURSE OF THE DEMON (1957-British) DVD, Rating: ****
71. THEM (1954) DVD, Rating: ****

--not bad... 23 first-time viewings, and I managed to watch 21 more films than last year's tally of 50, though still falling well shy of my record a few years back. Fun, as always.

 

[Christopher B]

I am dissapointed. I wanted to best my record of last year, and I didn't even reach it. Maybe next year I'll quit my job on October 1st, or at least plan a little better or take more time off.

Here is my finally tally. I am too depressed to do any reviews :frowning:

1.28 Days Later *** out of ****
2.The Abominable Dr. Phibes ****
3.An American Werewolf In London ***
4.Alien ****
5.Anatomy **1/2 –
6.The Beyond ***
7.Black Christmas ****
8.Blade In The Dark **1/2
9.Body Parts **1/2
10.Brainiac **
11.Carrie ***1/2
12.C.H.U.D. ***
13.The Funhouse **1/2
14.House of Wax (1953) ***1/2
15.Resident Evil **
16.Grapes of Death ***
17.Demonia **
18.Macabre **
19.Shaun of the Dead ****
20.Let’s Scare Jessica to Death ***
21.The Other ***
22.Dust Devil ***1/2
23.Creepshow ***
24.Slither ***
25.The Exorcism of Emily Rose ***
26.The Hills Have Eyes (1977) ***
27.The Devil’s Rejects ****
28.Army of Darkness ****
29.Pet Sematary ***
30.Spontaneous Combustion *1/2
31.Cannibal Holocaust **1/2
32.Resident Evil: Apocalypse ***
33.Halloween ****
34.Final Destination 2 ***
35.The House on Haunted Hill (1999) **1/2
36.Deathdream ***

 

[Rick Spruill]

As usual, I had a great time with this, but I'm also glad it's over. I've got a pile of non-horror I'm looking forward to getting to. Here's my final list:

Ratings: BOMB to :star::star::star::star:
First time viewings in bold:

10/1 - The Mole People (1956, Virgil W. Vogel) - :star::star::star:
10/1 - The Devil's Wedding Night (1973, Luigi Batzella) - :star:
10/2 - The Monolith Monsters (1957, John Sherwood) - :star::star::star:
10/3 - The Black Castle (1952, Nathan Juran) - :star::star:
10/4 - Mako: The Jaws of Death (1976, William Grefe) - BOMB
10/5 - Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954, Jack Arnold) - :star::star::star::star:
10/6 - Tarantula (1955, Jack Arnold) - :star::star::star:
10/6 - Deep Red (1975, Dario Argento) - :star::star::star::star:
10/7 - Calling Dr. Death (1943, Reginald LeBorg) - :star::star::star:
10/7 - Spoorloos (1988, George Sluizer) - :star::star::star::star:
10/8 - The Queen of Spades (1949, Thorold Dickinson) - :star::star::star::star:
10/8 - Weird Woman (1944, Reginald LeBord) - :star::star::star:
10/10 - Dead Man's Eyes (1944, Reginald LeBord) - :star::star:
10/11 - Mad Love (1935, Karl Freund) - :star::star::star::star:
10/12 - The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932, Charles Brabin) - :star::star::star::star:
10/12 - The Cat and the Canary (1927, Paul Leni) - :star::star::star:
10/12 - Mark of the Vampire (1935, Tod Browning) - :star::star:
10/13 - Dark Waters (1994, Mariano Baino) - :star::star:
10/13 - King of the Zombies (1941, Jean Yarbrough) - :star::star:
10/13 - Doctor X (1932, Michael Curtiz) - :star::star::star:
10/13 - The Return of Doctor X (1939, Vincent Sherman) - :star::star:
10/14 - The Mummy (1932, Karl Freund) - :star::star::star::star:
10/14 - I Walked with a Zombie (1943, Jacques Tourneur) - :star::star::star::star:
10/14 - Bad Inclination (2003, Pierfrancesco Campanella) - BOMB
10/15 - The Climax (1944, George Waggner) - :star:
10/15 - Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks (1974, Robert Oliver) - BOMB
10/17 - Bride of Frankenstein (1935, James Whale) - :star::star::star::star:
10/17 - Son of Frankenstein (1939, Rowland V. Lee) - :star::star::star::star:
10/17 - The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942, Erle C. Kenton) - :star::star::star:
10/18 - Devil Bat's Daughter (1946, Frank Wisbar) - :star:
10/18 - Strait-Jacket (1964, William Castle) - :star::star::star:
10/19 - Count Dracula's Great Love (1972, Javier Aguirre) - :star:
10/20 - The Man They Could Not Hang (1939, Nick Grinde) - :star::star::star:
10/21 - The Black Room (1935, Roy William Neil) - :star::star::star:
10/22 - The Boogie Man Will Get You (1942, Lew Landers) - :star::star:
10/23 - My Bloody Valentine (1981, George Mihalka) - :star:
10/23 - The Mummy (1959, Terence Fisher) - :star::star::star:
10/24 - Monster on the Campus (1958, Jack Arnold) - :star::star::star:
10/24 - The Frozen Ghost (1945, Harold Young) - :star::star:
10/25 - The Return of the Vampire (1944, Lew Landers) - :star::star::star:
10/25 - High Tension (2003, Alexandre Aja) - :star::star::star::star:
10/26 - Son of Dracula (1943, Robert Siodmak) - :star::star::star::star:
10/26 - Bloody Pit of Horror (1965, Massimo Pupillo) - :star::star::star:
10/26 - The Black Cat (1934, Edgar G. Ulmer) - :star::star::star::star:
10/27 - Strange Confession (1945, John Hoffman) - :star::star:
10/27 - Them! (1954, Gordon Douglas) - :star::star::star:
10/27 - The Beyond (1981, Lucio Fulci) - :star::star::star:
10/28 - Revenge of the Creature (1955, Jack Arnold) - :star::star::star:
10/28 - The Creature Walks Among Us (1956, John Sherwood) - :star::star::star:
10/28 - Army of Darkness (1992, Sam Raimi) - :star::star::star:
10/29 - MOH: Jenifer (2005, Dario Argento) - :star::star::star:
10/29 - Pillow of Death (1945, Wallace Ford) - :star::star::star:
10/30 - It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955, Robert Gordon) - :star::star:
10/30 - Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943, Roy William Neil) - :star::star::star:
10/31 - Suspiria (1977, Dario Argento) - :star::star::star::star:


Totals: 55 (27 New, 28 Repeats)

 

[JohnRice]

I don't know how I got the idea it was Jodorowsky. When I saw Moctezuma's name in the credits, I assumed it was a pseudonym.

 

[Jason Roer]

Hey All,

Glad to hear some of you are on board for SciFi Movie Challenge. We'll have to pick a time and set it up. I think it would be a great early spring thing (gives us some nice distance from the Horror Challenge), but let's all decide together.

Anyway, here are my final 2 films. I was able to reach my personal record from last year. I didn't think I was going to reach it at all. Glad I made it, though it's always hard when you come so close to beating a record and then miss by one. Oh Well. Next year?

I did manage to watch 44 new films out of my total of 54, so I'm very pleased there. And I fell in love with silent films during the challenge with classics such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Nosferatu, and Haxan. A great year and I already can't wait until next year's challenge.

Cannibal Holocaust - 2/5 - I see what they were going for here. I get the whole "are we the savages or are they" theory. But damn, this film just seems to exist to just show extreme brutality. I never fully got into it. I did enjoy the brief - and I mean brief moments of levity. Good example is when couple is having sex and the friends film it. I wouldn't watch the film again, there really is no need.

Halloween - 10/5 - I saved the best for last. Halloween is my favorite Horror film. I am in awe of the skill on display throughout the film. This is the pinnacle of tension building/suspense and should be studied by EVERY person who wants to make a horror film (and many who already make them but obviously have never studied the masters). I usually come away with something new upon each viewing and this one was no exception. This time I really watched the "kill" scenes closely as I had during my Final Destination viewings. What is so wonderful about the "kills" - the greatest example has to be the Annie death scene - is how patient John was. I liken it to sex. Most people go at, real hot and vigorous, but they blow their wad rather quickly so to speak. But when you hold off and then hold off some more - and keep holding until you're going to burst - and then a bit more - before - well, you know. That's the best experience. And it's the same with these death scenes. With Annie's, you know Myers is there. They show him watching through the window while she's on the phone. And then she's in the laundry room. Well she's gonna get it there right? I mean she even gets stuck in the window. She's helpless. Myers has to get her. WRONG. Annie moves back into the house and gets on the phone again. Now we have more possibilities for her death. But not yet. The danger is still there. The tension still high. When is she going to die??!! This continues until she finally gets it in the garage. For me this is one of the best kill scenes in the history of cinema. It is the perfect example of great setup and a wonderful payoff. I could write volumes about this film, so I'll stop now and do some real work. But I love this film and I thank John for giving it to us.

2006 HORROR MOVIE CHALLENGE
1. Desperation, 2/5 (new)
2. Sleepaway Camp, 2/5 (new)
3. Cannibal!: The Musical, 2/5 (new)
4. Bubba Ho-Tep, 4/5 (new)
5. 30 Days in Hell, 4/5 (new)
6. The Hills Have Eyes (2006), 1/5 (new)
7. Session 9, 3/5 (new)
8. Army of Darkness, 3/5 (new)
9. Final Destination, 3.5/5 (new)
10. Dawn of the Dead, (1978) 3.5/5
11. Dawn of the Dead, (2004) 2/5 (new)
12. The Gore Gore Girls, 3/5 (new)
13. From Dusk Till Dawn, 3.5/5 (new)
14. Halloween 4, 3/5 (new)
15. House of a Thousand Corpses, 3.5/5
16. May, 3/5 (new)
17. Lust for Dracula, 2/5 (new)
18. Halloween (commentary track), 4/5
19. Tunguska/Terma, 3.5/5
20. Haxan (1922), 3.5/5 (new)
21. Shawn of the Dead, 4.5/5
22. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919), 4/5 (new)
23. The Fall of the House of Usher, 3.5/5 (new)
24. Thing From Another World, 4/5 (new)
25. Mark of the Vampire, 3/5 (new)
26. Return of the Vampire, 2/5 (new)
27. Blair Witch Project, BOMB (new)
28. The Listening Dead, 4/5
29. Zombie Prom, 5/5
30. Devil's Rejects, 4/5
31. Deer Woman, 2.5/5 (new)
32. The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D, 5/5 (new)
33. Halloween: 25 Years of Terror, 4/5 (new)
34. Dead Alive, 4/5 (new)
35. Nightmare on Elm Street, 4/5
36. The Return of the Living Dead, 2/5 (new)
37. Slither, 3/5 (new)
38. A Tale of Two Sisters, 2.5/5 (new)
39. Wes Craven's New Nightmare, 4/5 (new)
40. The Raven, 3/5 (new)
41. The Directors: Wes Craven, 4/5 (new)
42. 100 Scariest Moments in Horror, 4/5 (new)
43. Saw 3, 3/5 (new)
44. Rosemary's Baby, 4/5 (new)
45. Nosferatu, 4/5 (new)
46. The Haunting (1963), 4/5 (new)
47. Murders in the Rue Morgue, 3.5/5 (new)
48. THEM!, 4/5 (new)
49. The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 3.5/5 (new)
50. Young Frankenstein, 5/5 (new)
51. Final Destination 2, 3/5 (new)
52. Final Destination 3, 2/5 (new)
53. Cannibal Holocaust, 2/5 (new)
54. Halloween, 10/5

 

[Matt Stone]

Looks like we had a hell of a turn-out this year. I'll tally up the results and post a recap here in the next couple of nights. Be sure to post your final counts.

 

[Mario Gauci]

10/28/06: THE SWARM [Extended Version] (Irwin Allen, 1978) **

This one is often often considered, along with WHEN TIME RAN OUT… (1980), as Irwin Allen’s nadir – not to mention one of the all-time worst films! Michael Caine himself said it’s the worst film he’s ever been in (contradicting his apparent enthusiasm shown in the accompanying promo) – although he must have clearly forgotten THE ISLAND (1980)…

Given the impeccable credentials, it seems that I keep giving it a chance – since this here was already my third viewing (albeit the first via the extended version). It was also one of several ‘attacking insects/small animals’ movies in the seventies – FROGS (1972), PHASE IV (1974), SQUIRM (1976), KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS (1977), EMPIRE OF THE ANTS (1977), etc.; other semi-notable bee movies are THE DEADLY BEES (1966) and THE SAVAGE BEES (1976; made for TV).

They certainly spared no expenses where the cast was concerned: Michael Caine hams it up as a constantly pissed-off entomologist; ditto for Richard Widmark’s general (who, at least, has the sense to not take it seriously); Richard Chamberlain has a similar role to the one he played in THE TOWERING INFERNO (1974); Jose` Ferrer turns up for a thankless one-minute cameo, whereas Cameron Mitchell appears unbilled. While it was nice to see all those Hollywood old-timers, the three-way romance between Fred MacMurray, Olivia DeHavilland and Ben Johnson was embarrassingly corny!

Incredibly, some 40 minutes were salvaged from the cutting-room floor to make up this inflated Extended Version – but the film seriously outstays its welcome in the second half, as it lumbers its way toward a ‘philosophical’ conclusion. Apparently, several incidents in the film are ‘inspired’ by THE KILLER SHREWS (1959) – but also THEM! (1954), especially the huge bug every victim kept seeing (which is shown so often that it eventually becomes risible rather than scary). Even in spite of its great length, there are still a couple of blatant plot holes: Caine, Katharine Ross and Patty Duke Astin get locked inside a freezer during an attack on the town by the killer bees but we never learn how they manage to get out; likewise, we’re not told how the boy (in whom Caine and Ross take a special interest all through the picture) got ‘sick’ again, a ‘relapse’ he actually doesn’t survive!

Ultimately, it’s not the unmitigated disaster most people say it is – but the dialogue is so preposterous as to be unintentionally funny (my favorite being Henry Fonda telling Caine that the raunchiest book he ever read was one the latter had written about the mating habits of the Queen Bee!) and the theme itself simply too far-fetched (despite all the earnest sermonizing and the film’s ecological stance)!


10/28/06: INSIDE 'THE SWARM' (TV) (Andrew J. Kuehn, 1978) **

This fluffy featurette made during production of THE SWARM (1978) is no great shakes and is mainly of interest for showing Irwin Allen at work during the 1970s’ “Disaster Movie” heyday…when the all-star cast are not trying to convince us that the film’s earnest warning – that a catastrophic bee attack upon the whole of humanity is imminent – should not be taken lightly and we are therefore instructed to take every precautionary measure necessary (the first being, I assume, to go watch the film at your nearest local theater)!


10/29/06: THE FLESH AND THE FIENDS [U.K. Version] (John Gilling, 1959) ***
10/31/06: THE FLESH AND THE FIENDS [Continental Version] (John Gilling, 1959) ***

Solid, well-crafted but rather patchy cinematic treatment of the saga of notorious 19th Century “Resurrectionists” Burke and Hare and their unorthodox employer Dr. Robert Knox; in the vein of Hammer horror (featuring two of their most notable participants in Cushing and Gilling) though the lack of color makes it seem a half-hearted attempt (even if, with an eye on the low-budget, it was probably a conscious choice by the film-makers as the intentions were clearly of a serious undertaking)!

Anyway, the best thing about the film – apart from the vivid recreation of the era – are the performances of Peter Cushing (as the cold Dr. Knox, not unlike Baron Frankenstein), Donald Pleasance (an impressive early performance as the oily but quick-thinking Hare – his come-uppance is especially eerie) and Billie Whitelaw (as the proverbial “tart with a heart of gold” who ends up as one of the victims); Burke is played as a scurrilous but jovial brute (but who murders with the apparent complicity of his own wife) by character actor George Rose. Dr. Knox’s condescending attitude towards his fellow colleagues also provides a number of entertaining confrontation scenes (my favorite line is during their face-off at his house, when he brusquely terminates the discussion by instructing them to “incline their heads slightly to the left…[in order to] observe the door…[and could they] please use it!”); Cushing, of course, is equally commanding while addressing his lectures or when scrutinizing the newest corpse.

The film makes a fine, though essentially unpleasant, companion piece to the more literate and subtle THE BODY SNATCHER (1945); the theme was again handled (by another horror veteran, Freddie Francis) a quarter of a century later in THE DOCTOR AND THE DEVILS (1985) – while Gilling himself had contributed to the script of an earlier variation, THE GREED OF WILLIAM HART (1948), starring Tod Slaughter! By the way, the producing team of Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman (who doubled as cinematographer) also brought to the screen the nefarious deeds of other historical figures such as JACK THE RIPPER (1959) and THE HELLFIRE CLUB (1961; upcoming on DVD from Dark Sky Films).

Image’s DVD also includes the “Continental Version” which contains about a minute of more explicit violence and nudity (in the many tavern sequences) – though this only helps render it even more unsavory than it already is! The prints are distractingly soft throughout, and the severe widescreen ratio (2.35:1) hampers somewhat the viewer’s complete involvement (at least on a normal T.V. screen); the “Continental Version” fares even worse, showing more damage and having rather scratched audio to boot! Unfortunately, the liner notes by Jonathan Sothcott were not available with my copy: it’s probable that the disc was initially released as a snapper-case (with the essay on the inner sleeve) but was then dropped when re-issued in the more manageable keep-case!


10/29/06: CALLING DR. DEATH (Reginald LeBorg, 1943) **1/2

I hadn’t intended to purchase this Set – and only did so after constant prodding by Joe KarlosiJ; in essence, these films are no worse than the lower-profile sequels of the Universal monster pictures, such as the follow-ups to THE MUMMY (1932) and THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933).

This was the first of six “Inner Sanctum” mysteries all starring Lon Chaney Jr. (with his frequent voice-over linking them rather naively with the concurrent noir subgenre) and featuring portentous – and hilarious – intros by a disembodied head in a crystal ball! It’s not too bad in itself, with the plot overly familiar but fairly involving – Chaney’s mind goes blank one weekend and when he comes to, discovers his unloving wife has been murdered! Of course, he’s the chief suspect of dogged detective J. Carroll Naish (the best thing about the entire film) though it’s the woman’s lover, named Robert Duval(!), who’s actually accused – and convicted – of the crime. The characters are all relatively engaging (Chaney is a celebrated neurologist with beautiful Patricia Morison as his devoted assistant) and the plot development plausible enough, making for an entertaining and fast-paced 63 minutes. The final revelation, then, is at once surprising and satisfying.


10/29/06: WEIRD WOMAN (Reginald LeBorg, 1944) **1/2

This had always been the one “Inner Sanctum” I was most interested in because it was an adaptation of Fritz Leiber’s “Conjure Wife”, later filmed as a superior British horror film, NIGHT OF THE EAGLE aka BURN, WITCH, BURN! (1962). This version is highly enjoyable, even if some of the fun to be had is the result of its unexpected goofiness and campiness (at least when compared to the deadly serious ‘remake’). The would-be sinister native rituals consist of nothing more than harmless Tahitian dancing and risible mumbo-jumbo! Lon Chaney’s irresistibility to the female sex is unconvincingly stretched to no fewer than 3 women in the film when, ultimately, he is no more than an amiable beefcake of a leading man!

Still, the female roles here are surprisingly strong: Anne Gwynne (as Chaney’s superstitious native wife), Elizabeth Risdon (as the acid-tongued Dean), Elizabeth Russell (as the ambitious wife of Chaney’s senior colleague) and especially Evelyn Ankers (relishing a rare villainous role as Chaney’s vengeful ex). Ralph Morgan (as Russell’s ill-fated husband and Chaney’s direct competitor) also makes a good impression. While the film is occasionally atmospheric, it suffers in comparison with NIGHT OF THE EAGLE and that film’s memorable climax is sorely missed (especially since the supernatural element is heavily toned down here). A highlight of the film is Ankers’ nightmarish vision as she is haunted by her victims into confessing her crimes.


P.S. As with the previous entry in the series, CALLING DR. DEATH (1943), the Ygor theme from THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (1942) is incorporated into the music score! By the way, am I the only one bothered by the fact that Chaney is billed merely as “Lon Chaney” rather than “Lon Chaney Jr.” – or, for that matter, the fact that the credits merely state that the film is based on a story by Fritz Leiber without mentioning its actual title?


10/29/06: DEAD MAN’S EYES (Reginald LeBorg, 1944) **

While the plot of this third “Inner Sanctum” film is, in itself, intriguing – and certainly provides plenty of possible suspects – the handling is rather stiff, with too much talk and little real suspense!

Once again, Chaney is the talented object of desire(!) – a painter – torn between society woman Jean Parker and exotic model Acquanetta; he really loves the former but, when he’s rendered blind in an accident, he decides to let her go and accepts the latter’s care (she being the unwitting cause of his precarious condition!). Paul Kelly has a good role as Chaney’s best friend and secret (but unrequited) admirer of Acquanetta.

Parker’s elderly father opts to have his eyes transplanted after his death so, when he ends up murdered, police detective Thomas Gomez turns up to root out the guilty party; the denouement, then, is pretty convoluted but not very exciting. While the quality of this series has steadily deteriorated so far from one entry to the next (though the films are never boring and mercifully short), I still look forward to the remaining three installments…


10/30/06: THE FROZEN GHOST (Harold Young, 1945) **1/2

In spite of its meaningless title, this is one of the better “Inner Sanctums” – though still not exactly a good filmJ. Lon Chaney Jr. is at his most Larry Talbot-like here as a hypnotist constantly bemoaning his fate (thinking he may have killed a drunken and skeptical member of the audience by sheer will-power!). In fact, the opening hypnotism sequence features some unusually odd angles – which is then ruined by the stereotypical (and unfunny) intrusion of Arthur Hoyt as the drunk!!

The plot then contrives to incorporate the well-worn wax museum theme, which results in the establishment of an adequate atmosphere throughout the film (not to mention utilizing its furnace for the effective climax). Besides, it’s aided immensely by the presence of Martin Kosleck as the unhinged museum ‘curator’ (with a secret medical past) and Douglass Dumbrille as the wily investigating detective with a fondness for quoting Shakespeare (there’s a section of wax figures devoted to characters from the Bard’s work). Once again, the star finds himself in a tug-of-war between three females – Evelyn Ankers (playing the good girl this time, as Chaney’s assistant/fiancée), Tala Birell (as the jealous and ageing museum owner) and Elena Verdugo (as Birell’s ingénue niece, also desired by Kosleck).


10/30/06: STRANGE CONFESSION (John Hoffman, 1945) **1/2

This is possibly the best of the “Inner Sanctums”, though it’s also not a typical one – being based on Jean Bart’s impressive anti-war drama “The Man Who Reclaimed His Head” (already filmed by Universal in 1934 with Claude Rains; in retrospect, it’s amusing to note that the remake starred the actor who had played Rains’ son in THE WOLF MAN [1941]!). Still, even if the setting is effectively updated – the original had a pre-WWI backdrop – its dealing with the crooked marketing of an untried drug is not quite the same thing as the philosophical war-themed discussions which distinguished the play (and earlier film)!

Again, we’re supposed to believe Lon Chaney Jr. is something of a genius in his field – in this case, medical research – but he allows himself to be exploited by his unscrupulous boss J. Carrol Naish (who even has designs on his wife!). Chaney is typically flustered but Naish is an ideal villainous substitute for Lionel Atwill; Brenda Joyce, then, fills in for Joan Bennett as the heroine yearning for a fuller life but, ultimately, unwilling to sacrifice her domestic harmony to satisfy her own selfish ends.

The pace is necessarily slow – there are no murders or detectives this time around – with Chaney recounting his tragic tale to a childhood friend, and the resolution rather skimps on the hero’s particular ‘crime’ (which was certainly more explicit in the 1934 version, even if STRANGE CONFESSION itself was also known as THE MISSING HEAD!) – but, as I said, it’s the most satisfying entry in the series (which, ironically enough, was the one to go unseen for decades due to a copyright dispute!).


10/30/06: PILLOW OF DEATH (Wallace Fox, 1945) **

The sixth, last and least of the “Inner Sanctum” mysteries and, curiously enough, the only one not to feature the ‘talking head’ intro. It’s still fairly enjoyable, particularly in its first half (and, that, thanks largely to the presence of heroine Brenda Joyce’s curmudgeonly uncle – played by George Cleveland), but rather sluggishly-paced (this being the longest in the series). At least, the final revelation provides a welcome change of paceJ.

The plot involves a lot of archaic (and, ultimately, irrelevant) haunted-house clichés, including a couple of séances presided over by J. Edward Bromberg as a medium who goes by the silly name of Julian Julian (the sight of his head tilted backwards in trance-mode is sure to provide convulsions of laughter – as does his deadpan delivery of the preposterous dialogue, my favorite being the film’s very last line: “The word ‘abracadabra’ is anathema to the true believer in the occult”!)…but equally hilarious are Rosalind Ivan’s melodramatic fainting spells (the script contriving to have her discover each and every corpse!). Regrettable, too, is the monotonous regularity of Bruce Thomas’ unannounced appearances (as an insufferable teenage neighbor smitten with Joyce) at the Kincaid household – made via a secret passage in their basement.

In the end, I have to wonder whether director Fox’s involvement (who specialized in Grade-Z stuff) has something to do with the fact that this particular film is the one that comes closest to the level of a “Poverty Row” potboiler, with respect to its look and overall quality (as a matter of fact, even the cast is lackluster this time around)!

 

[TravisR]

I hear that. I'm also looking forward to checking out the extras on a bunch of discs that I've bought in the last month or watch some (gasp) non-horror titles.

 

[Joe Karlosi]

Okay, here's my last entry of films watched for this year. I just want to say before I list them that I had a really great time doing this challenge this year! I usually have had more than my full by the time the month's over, but for some reason I was sorry to see it all end this time. Oh well --- there's always next year!

My total films watched for 2006 is 49. It's 3 more than I managed last year, but I wish I could have done more. So.....

Halloween H2O: Twenty Years Later (1998) :star::star::star:
I liked this one when I saw it theatrically in '98 and I still like it; I think it's probably the best of all the sequels and I really don't understand why it 's not more appreciated by the fans. Jamie Lee Curtis wanted to return to the series and end it "right," and I think she did a fantastic job. What makes this one so special to me is it's really moreThe Liberation of Laurie Strode as she confronts her "monster" once and for all and faces Michael Myers on her OWN terms. I also think Steve Miner knew what he was doing and managed to make it suspenseful and exciting, with some spooky moments. I've always loved the thrilling climax and I thought it was the PERFECT way to end this series after so long. Imagine how PISSED I was when I saw what they did to ruin this marvelous ending with the next HALLOWEEN RESURRECTION, which was even more of an insult in that Jamie sold out and returned for it. What a bummer.

Willard (1971) :star::star::star:
A childhood favorite of mine (saw it at 9 in the theater). Bruce Davison is terrific as the weird Willard who befriends an army of pet rats and then sends them out to do his bidding. The scene with mean boss Ernest Borgnine getting what he deserves is still a pleaser. WE NEED THIS ON DVD -- WHAT'S THE HOLDUP??

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) :star::star::star::star:
This is always a MUST for me on Halloween Night. One of my all time favorites with the classic monsters making an appearance.


01) Dracula (1931)
02) Dracula's Daughter (1936)
03) White Zombie (1932)
04) Werewolf of London (1935)
05) The Man They Could Not Hang (1939)
06) Before I Hang (1940)
07) The Boogie Man Will Get you (1942)
08) Life Returns (1935)
09) The Black Room (1935)
10) Munster, Go Home (1966)
11) Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter (1974)
12) Mark of the Vampire (1935)
13) The Return of Doctor X (1939)
14) Mad Love (1935)
15) Zombies on Broadway (1945)
16) Blackenstein (1973)
17) The Devil-Doll (1936)
18) To the Devil - A Daughter (1976)
19) The Viking Women and the Sea Serpent (1957)
20) Teenage Caveman (1957)
21) The Virgin of Nuremberg (1963)
22) The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
23) The Mummy's Hand (1940)
24) The Mummy's Tomb (1942)
25) Dead Men Walk (1943)
26) The Flying Serpent (1946)
27) Saw II (2005)
28) The Beast With a Million Eyes (1955)
29) The Brute Man (1946)
30) Spooks Run Wild (1941)
31) Master Minds (1949)
32) The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters (1954)
33) Frankenstein (1931)
34) Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
35) Son of Frankenstein (1939)
36) The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942)
37) Konga (1961)
38) The Undying Monster (1942)
39) London After Midnight (Photo Reconstruction) (1927)
40) The Wolf Man (1941)
41) Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)
42) The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)
43) Saw III (2006)
44) Halloween (1978)
45) Halloween II (1981)
46) Mad Monster Party? (1967)
47) Halloween H2O: Twenty Years Later (1998)
48) Willard (1971)
49) Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)


2006 SCARY MOVIE CHALLENGE TOTAL --- 49

 

[Joe Karlosi]

Glad you took the plunge with the Inner Sanctum Mysteries, Mario. As I told you, they're somewhat fun, though nothing great. It's always interesting to see which of the 6 films work best for different people, and in reading your notes I'd agree that STRANGE CONFESSION is probably the best. I also agree with your appreciation of J. Carrol Naish in CALLING DR. DEATH (not many people have had positive things to say about his policeman role there except you and I). I'd say WEIRD WOMAN is one of the best in this series.

I like DEAD MAN'S EYES more than you do, and I really think THE FROZEN GHOST is the lowpoint of the whole series (you can read my notes on IMDB).

 

[Ruz-El]

I liked this one to, but "Pillow Of Death" and the way they kind of flipped the story on you after you become so used to the formula was my favorite.