Trilogy of Terror
You know how nobody ever talks about the first two stories in this movie and they only focus on the final story where Karen Black is menaced by a Zuni fetish doll? There's a reason for that. The first two stories (also starring Black, she plays 4 different characters throughout the movie) aren't bad, but there's really nothing that makes them stand out. The one with the Zuni fetish doll, on the other hand, is pretty great and very different from the other two.
All three stories are by the late Richard Matheson (the first two adapted by William F. Nolan, the third by Matheson himself) and all three play like Twilight Zone episodes (a show for which Matheson wrote many of the best episodes). Each one has a final twist, but where the first two aren't terribly surprising or scary the third story ends with an image that may well haunt your dreams.
Black is great, and seems to be having fun getting to play so many disparate characters. The third story is based on a fairly goofy conceit (person vs doll doesn't seem like the most difficult of struggles for the person, but it's kept horror filmmakers in business for many years) but its relentless pace and Black's committed performance elevate it to something special. The other two stories are much more low-key, but she gets to vamp it up a little in each which keeps them entertaining. There's no framing story so you can watch it in bite-size pieces like the tasty Halloween treat it is.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Scary Movie Month, Day 6
Pumpkinhead
Lance Henriksen is Ed, whose young son is killed accidentally by a group of dirtbiking teens so he goes to a local witchy woman and conjures up a vengeance demon, like you do. Paring the story down to just those essentials doesn't do the movie justice, however, as it has more on its mind than you might expect.
Vengeance takes a toll, as Ed learns rather too quickly here. He's clearly regretting his decision to conjure a murdermonster as soon as it starts killing people. While I'm impressed with the movie's take on the morality of the situation, it also seems like it may have been a bit more effective if Ed had enjoyed his vengeance for a moment before he realized what it made him into. By having him immediately regret it there's nowhere to take his character, he just kind of hangs out as the rest of the (mostly innocent) teens are ripped to pieces. It's not a dealbreaker, and it's certainly a more thoughtful movie than you might expect. Henriksen is great in the lead, which is nice since he so rarely gets to play sympathetic.
The creature design is excellent (because Stan Winston), especially as the movie goes on and Lance and the creature start to take on each other's attributes. Lots of moody blue and orange lighting heightens the unreality of it all but also helps to give it a distinctive look. I liked it quite a bit, I just wish I felt more of an emotional connection to anybody, either Ed or the kids. I did learn not to conjure any demons, so there's that I suppose.
Lance Henriksen is Ed, whose young son is killed accidentally by a group of dirtbiking teens so he goes to a local witchy woman and conjures up a vengeance demon, like you do. Paring the story down to just those essentials doesn't do the movie justice, however, as it has more on its mind than you might expect.
Vengeance takes a toll, as Ed learns rather too quickly here. He's clearly regretting his decision to conjure a murdermonster as soon as it starts killing people. While I'm impressed with the movie's take on the morality of the situation, it also seems like it may have been a bit more effective if Ed had enjoyed his vengeance for a moment before he realized what it made him into. By having him immediately regret it there's nowhere to take his character, he just kind of hangs out as the rest of the (mostly innocent) teens are ripped to pieces. It's not a dealbreaker, and it's certainly a more thoughtful movie than you might expect. Henriksen is great in the lead, which is nice since he so rarely gets to play sympathetic.
The creature design is excellent (because Stan Winston), especially as the movie goes on and Lance and the creature start to take on each other's attributes. Lots of moody blue and orange lighting heightens the unreality of it all but also helps to give it a distinctive look. I liked it quite a bit, I just wish I felt more of an emotional connection to anybody, either Ed or the kids. I did learn not to conjure any demons, so there's that I suppose.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Scary Movie Month, Day 5
John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness
I don't know why this one isn't more well-known. Maybe it's just that the biggest name in the cast is Donald Pleasence, but it's a pretty great little movie and deserves more love.
The story centers on a group of grad students researching odd goings-on in an abandoned church. Turns out there's a big ol' jar of Satan goo in the basement which causes all Hell to break loose. The tension mounts nicely as the movie goes on, and while it's gorier than the majority of Carpenter's work it doesn't feel gratuitous.
Adding to the atmosphere is the great electronic score by Carpenter and Alan Howarth, one of their best. The movie as a whole finds a terrific balance by remaining unnerving and unsettling throughout without ever becoming grim or oppressive. It's all a little silly, but it plays it straight while managing not to veer into unintentional comedy. Definitely worth a look.
I don't know why this one isn't more well-known. Maybe it's just that the biggest name in the cast is Donald Pleasence, but it's a pretty great little movie and deserves more love.
The story centers on a group of grad students researching odd goings-on in an abandoned church. Turns out there's a big ol' jar of Satan goo in the basement which causes all Hell to break loose. The tension mounts nicely as the movie goes on, and while it's gorier than the majority of Carpenter's work it doesn't feel gratuitous.
Adding to the atmosphere is the great electronic score by Carpenter and Alan Howarth, one of their best. The movie as a whole finds a terrific balance by remaining unnerving and unsettling throughout without ever becoming grim or oppressive. It's all a little silly, but it plays it straight while managing not to veer into unintentional comedy. Definitely worth a look.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Scary Movie Month, Day 4
Dead Silence
When I announced today's choice on Twitter, a few people said "I really wanted to like that one, but it just didn't work for me." I totally get that, mainly because I feel the same way.
After a nicely atmospheric opening (love the choice to use the 1930's Universal logo) things quickly get mired in a mess of clunky exposition and odd character quirks. I liked Detective MarkyMarksBrother (Donnie Mark?) despite that his character was seemingly defined by the fact that he was constantly shaving. No exaggeration, every one of his scenes includes him pulling an electric razor out of his pocket and shaving his chin. Why? Because characterization, I guess? When presented with a killer ventriloquist's dummy movie, your first thought upon finishing it shouldn't be "what brand of razor was he using and why doesn't he just switch because he's clearly not getting the close shave he desires."
There aren't many scares but the ending is aaaaaaalmost batshit crazy enough to warrant a recommendation. I won't spoil anything, but there is a revelation during the climax that is certainly something I've never seen in a movie before. If only the whole movie had been as gleefully silly as that scene it might have been a minor gem. As it stands, it's a misfire. Not bad, but not worth going out of your way to see.
When I announced today's choice on Twitter, a few people said "I really wanted to like that one, but it just didn't work for me." I totally get that, mainly because I feel the same way.
After a nicely atmospheric opening (love the choice to use the 1930's Universal logo) things quickly get mired in a mess of clunky exposition and odd character quirks. I liked Detective MarkyMarksBrother (Donnie Mark?) despite that his character was seemingly defined by the fact that he was constantly shaving. No exaggeration, every one of his scenes includes him pulling an electric razor out of his pocket and shaving his chin. Why? Because characterization, I guess? When presented with a killer ventriloquist's dummy movie, your first thought upon finishing it shouldn't be "what brand of razor was he using and why doesn't he just switch because he's clearly not getting the close shave he desires."
There aren't many scares but the ending is aaaaaaalmost batshit crazy enough to warrant a recommendation. I won't spoil anything, but there is a revelation during the climax that is certainly something I've never seen in a movie before. If only the whole movie had been as gleefully silly as that scene it might have been a minor gem. As it stands, it's a misfire. Not bad, but not worth going out of your way to see.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Scary Movie Month, Day 3
Wes Craven's New Nightmare
You know that thing when people say a movie is ahead of its time (™ & © Heather Wixson)? This is the kind of movie they're talking about. While it's not completely successful, this meta exercise in terror really does have a fresh, exciting idea at its core, an idea that I would love to see other franchises tackle as well.
It seems Hollywood has had enough of cranking out Nightmare On Elm Street movies, and when they stop it awakens something evil that torments Heather Langenkamp (star of the original and third Nightmare) and her family. I really love the concept and the way Craven blends the "real" world with the movie world. The last act is a bit problematic for me as it devolves into more of a typical Nightmare movie, but even in that it's still head and shoulders above most of the other entries in the series. Also, while I understand the need to separate the "real" Freddy from the movie Freddy, I'm not a huge fan of Nightmare veteran David Miller's make-up in this one. I like the muted color palette (goofy green hat aside) and even the robo-claw but the overall look is very plastic-y and overdesigned so it makes it difficult to buy Freddy as a real-world threat. Those are just nitpicks, really. It's a clever movie that's definitely worth a look, especially for fans who grew tired of "funny" Freddy.
I wish more franchises would take chances like this and think outside the bun when they're on their seventh entry or so, but alas this made about $30 in theaters ($7 of them mine, I'm proud to say) so it was not to be. Too bad.
You know that thing when people say a movie is ahead of its time (™ & © Heather Wixson)? This is the kind of movie they're talking about. While it's not completely successful, this meta exercise in terror really does have a fresh, exciting idea at its core, an idea that I would love to see other franchises tackle as well.
It seems Hollywood has had enough of cranking out Nightmare On Elm Street movies, and when they stop it awakens something evil that torments Heather Langenkamp (star of the original and third Nightmare) and her family. I really love the concept and the way Craven blends the "real" world with the movie world. The last act is a bit problematic for me as it devolves into more of a typical Nightmare movie, but even in that it's still head and shoulders above most of the other entries in the series. Also, while I understand the need to separate the "real" Freddy from the movie Freddy, I'm not a huge fan of Nightmare veteran David Miller's make-up in this one. I like the muted color palette (goofy green hat aside) and even the robo-claw but the overall look is very plastic-y and overdesigned so it makes it difficult to buy Freddy as a real-world threat. Those are just nitpicks, really. It's a clever movie that's definitely worth a look, especially for fans who grew tired of "funny" Freddy.
I wish more franchises would take chances like this and think outside the bun when they're on their seventh entry or so, but alas this made about $30 in theaters ($7 of them mine, I'm proud to say) so it was not to be. Too bad.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Scary Movie Month, Day 2
Witchboard
Reasonably entertaining hokum in which Tawny Kitaen (giving pretty much the performance you expect from her) is tormented by an evil spirit she encounters through a ouija board. She disappears for a surprisingly long stretch as our heroes Hunky Boyfriend and Captain FluffyMullet go hunting for answers, none of which are terribly satisfying.
That being said, there's some fun to be had here. There's an all-too-brief encounter with a valley girl medium, a bit of silliness the movie could have used more of. There are moments when it seems to know what movie it is, followed by moments where it takes itself too seriously. It's entertaining when it embraces how dopey it all is, though.
I'd be remiss not to point out that the climax features one of the absolute best/worst bad-effects sequences I've ever seen, tracking a character falling through a window. Possibly a worse effect than the Barbie doll through the window at the end of the original Nightmare On Elm Street, kind of worth watching the movie just to get that moment.
Reasonably entertaining hokum in which Tawny Kitaen (giving pretty much the performance you expect from her) is tormented by an evil spirit she encounters through a ouija board. She disappears for a surprisingly long stretch as our heroes Hunky Boyfriend and Captain FluffyMullet go hunting for answers, none of which are terribly satisfying.
That being said, there's some fun to be had here. There's an all-too-brief encounter with a valley girl medium, a bit of silliness the movie could have used more of. There are moments when it seems to know what movie it is, followed by moments where it takes itself too seriously. It's entertaining when it embraces how dopey it all is, though.
I'd be remiss not to point out that the climax features one of the absolute best/worst bad-effects sequences I've ever seen, tracking a character falling through a window. Possibly a worse effect than the Barbie doll through the window at the end of the original Nightmare On Elm Street, kind of worth watching the movie just to get that moment.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Scary Movie Month Day 1
Halloween: Resurrection
It's unfair to say that Busta Rhymes gives the worst performance in this movie, because he may well give the worst performance in the entire Halloween series. The dialogue is awful to begin with ("Michael Myers ain't no sound bite!") but not one word out of Busta's mouth at any point in the movie sounds like anything any human being would ever actually say, and even if they would they'd certainly say it more convincingly.
Just because Busta's the worst thing about the movie doesn't mean the rest of it isn't excruciatingly awful too, though. With terrible pacing, no sense of scope (just how big is the Myers house, exactly?), and a busload of shaky-cam bullshit, it's no surprise that this was the last Halloween before the powers that be decided to reboot. Problematic as Rob Zombie's rebootquels are, at least they're interesting and feel like the work of somebody with a vision. This plays like it was written by a focus group: "Kids are into rap and kung fu and reality tv and also the internet is a thing so let's put those in there, who gives a shit if it makes any goddamn sense!"
I thought the series had reached its nadir with the execrable sixth entry (The Curse of Michael Myers), but at least that had a touch of Halloween atmosphere, this one can't even manage that. Pure garbage from top to bottom.
Oh, and a note to whoever came up with "Dangertainment" as the title of the internet show the movie is centered around: you are the worst, and I hate you.
It's unfair to say that Busta Rhymes gives the worst performance in this movie, because he may well give the worst performance in the entire Halloween series. The dialogue is awful to begin with ("Michael Myers ain't no sound bite!") but not one word out of Busta's mouth at any point in the movie sounds like anything any human being would ever actually say, and even if they would they'd certainly say it more convincingly.
Just because Busta's the worst thing about the movie doesn't mean the rest of it isn't excruciatingly awful too, though. With terrible pacing, no sense of scope (just how big is the Myers house, exactly?), and a busload of shaky-cam bullshit, it's no surprise that this was the last Halloween before the powers that be decided to reboot. Problematic as Rob Zombie's rebootquels are, at least they're interesting and feel like the work of somebody with a vision. This plays like it was written by a focus group: "Kids are into rap and kung fu and reality tv and also the internet is a thing so let's put those in there, who gives a shit if it makes any goddamn sense!"
I thought the series had reached its nadir with the execrable sixth entry (The Curse of Michael Myers), but at least that had a touch of Halloween atmosphere, this one can't even manage that. Pure garbage from top to bottom.
Oh, and a note to whoever came up with "Dangertainment" as the title of the internet show the movie is centered around: you are the worst, and I hate you.
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