The Madness: Classic Creatures and Vampire Features – Week 1 results

1.       Hotel Transylvania (2012) 91m – Theatre

First Viewing – Most of the classic monsters show up in this animated take on our favorite genre.  I really enjoyed this and it will become a part of our regular Halloween rotation. I rate this 7.5/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points:

Triple Bonus: If ANY FILM features the Character DRACULA, AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS!! – Dracula is the main character

Total Points: 6

 

2.       Dog Soldiers (2002) 105m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – Underrated Werewolf/Action hybrid from the Director of The Descent.  I like the way the werewolves look in this one, as they are much bigger than most movies. I rate this 7/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: 2

If what you’re watching features a Vampire, Shape Shifter or a Golem – Shapeshifters

 An ON CAMERA transformation from Humanoid to Animal or Monster, Vice Versa The beginning of a couple transformations is on screen

Total Points: 4

 

3.       The Invisible Man (1933) 71m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – Amazing FX for its day and a maniacal Claude Rains make this a pleasure to watch.  It may not have the fame of its Universal brethren, but this is a must watch for genre fans.  I rate this 8/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: 2

What you’re watching is from 1959 or Earlier – Released in 1933

An ON CAMERA transformation from Humanoid to Animal or Monster, Vice Versa – Several shots of the Invisible Man sans his wrapping

Total Points: 4

 

4.       The Invisible Man Returns (1940) 81m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – While it doesn’t have the impact of the first movie, it still makes for a great double feature with the original. I rate this 7/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: 2

What you’re watching is from 1959 or Earlier – Released in 1940

An ON CAMERA transformation from Humanoid to Animal or Monster, Vice Versa – Several shots of the Invisible Man sans his wrapping as well as his transformation back to a normal human at the end

Total Points: 4

 

5.       Dracula’s Daughter (1936) 71m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – I’ve grown to really enjoy this sequel.  Gloria Holden is pretty fantastic, even though I have read she loathed the role. I rate this a 7.5/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: Triple Bonus: If ANY FILM features the Character DRACULA, AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS!! – Dracula is shown at the beginning of the movie and is a central character throughout

Total Points: 6

 

6.       House of Dracula (1945) 67m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – Not my favorite Universal ensemble movie, but I’m still a sucker for all of them! I rate this 6.5/10

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: Triple Bonus: If ANY FILM features the Character DRACULA, AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS!! – Dracula is the main character

Total Points: 6

 

7.       House of Frankenstein (1944) 71m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – One of my favorite Universal Classics; I feel it flows better than House of Dracula and it is a ton of fun! I rate this 8/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: Triple Bonus: If ANY FILM features the Character DRACULA, AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS!! – Dracula is the main character

Total Points: 6

 

8.       Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman (1943) 74m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – This was the first of the ensemble movies from Universal and also ranks pretty high on my list of Universal Classics. I rate this 7.5/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: 3

If what you’re watching features a Vampire, Shape Shifter (1) or a Golem (1) – Features the Wolfman and Frankenstein’s Monster

What you’re watching is from 1959 or Earlier – Released in 1943

Total Points: 5

 

9.       Frankenstein (1910) 16m – Streaming

Initial Viewing – It’s simply amazing to watch something this old that still has an impact.  The FX for the time were pretty mindblowing.  I rate this a 9/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: Triple Bonus – SPECIAL NOTE: 1 Reel Movies (12 Minutes) from the Silent Era are an AUTOMATIC 6 POINTS!

Total Points: 6

 

10.   Silver Bullet (1985) 95m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – This doesn’t get the credit it deserves because there are some phenomenal werewolf movies that preceded it in the 80s, but this is a good movie.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: 1

If what you’re watching features a Vampire, Shape Shifter (1) or a Golem – Features a werewolf

Total Points: 3

 

11.   Starship Troopers (1997) 129m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – While not quite a horror movie, this science fiction yarn is plenty gory and a favorite of mine. I rate this 8/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: 1 – An underground lair for the aliens

Total Points: 3

 

12.   From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) 108m – DVD

Repeat Viewing  – Rodriguez delivers a great mixture of rad movie and vampire flick.  I would love to see more of the Gecko Brothers. I rate this 8/10.

Base Points: 2 Bonus Points: 2 Features Vampires, Underground Lair (closing shot)

Total Points: 4

 

13.   Horror of Dracula (1958) 82m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – There is a constant battle in my head between this and Universal’s Dracula for best Dracula movie ever.  Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing deliver amazing performances.  I rate this 9.5/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: Triple Bonus: If ANY FILM features the Character DRACULA, AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS!! – Dracula is the main character

Total Points: 6

 

14.   Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968) 92m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – A worthy sequel, but I did miss Peter Cushing as Van Helsing.  I rate this 7.5/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: Triple Bonus: If ANY FILM features the Character DRACULA, AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS!! – Dracula is the main character

Total Points: 6

 

15.   Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970) 95m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – Christopher Lee’s screen time is pretty limited in this Hammer offering, so that is a downside, but this is still an above average vampire movie.  I rate it 6.5/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: Triple Bonus: If ANY FILM features the Character DRACULA, AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS!! – Dracula is the main character

Total Points: 6

 

16.   King Kong (1933) 104m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – A true classic and stop-motion tour de force! This is a must see for me at least once a year.  I rate this 10/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: 3 What you’re watching is from 1959 or Earlier; If Man in Suit/Kaiju, Stop Animation or Practical Puppet FX Monsters fight each other (Kong fights several monsters on the island); If a Monster destroys a specific real life city or landmark (New York City)

Total Points: 5

 

17.   Son of Kong (1933) 70m – DVD

Initial Viewing – Son of King doesn’t have near the heart of the original, but there is still some pretty fun stop-motion fighting on the island. I rate this 6.5/10

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: 2 What you’re watching is from 1959 or Earlier; If Man in Suit/Kaiju, Stop Animation or Practical Puppet FX Monsters fight each other (Kong fights several monsters on the island)

Total Points: 4

 

18.   King Kong vs Godzilla (1962) 99m – DVD

Repeat Viewing – Godzilla’s best box-office showing is a fun time and features one of the best showdowns in cinema history. I rate this one 7.5/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: 2 If Man in Suit/Kaiju, Stop Animation or Practical Puppet FX Monsters fight each other; If a Monster destroys a specific real life city or landmark (much of Japan).

Total Points: 4

 

19.   An American Werewolf in London (1981) 97m – DVD

Reviewed on Cenobite Me – The peak of the werewolf sub-genre.  I rate this a 9.5/10.

Base Points: 2

Bonus Points: 3 If what you’re watching features a Vampire, Shape Shifter (1) or a Golem; An ON CAMERA transformation from Humanoid to Animal or Monster, Vice Versa; If a Monster destroys a specific real life city or landmark (Piccadilly Circus in London)

Total Points: 5

Pumpkinhead – The Poem

Keep away from Pumpkinhead,

Unless you’re tired of living,

His enemies are mostly dead,

He’s mean and unforgiving,

Laugh at him and you’re undone,

But in some dreadful fashion,

Vengeance, he considers fun,

And plans it with a passion,

Time will not erase or blot,

A plot that he has brewing,

It’s when you think that he’s forgot,

He’ll conjure your undoing,

Bolted doors and windows barred,

Guard dogs prowling in the yard,

Won’t protect you in your bed,

Nothing will, from Pumpkinhead.

-Ed Justin

Vampires (1998)

Vampires (1998)

Directed By: John Carpenter

Starring: James Woods, Daniel Baldwin, Sheryl Lee, Thomas Ian Griffith, Maximilian Schell, Tim Guinee, Mark Boone Junior

Subgenre: Vampires

Synopsis: Jack Crow, the leader of a recently decimated team of Vampire hunters, must stop a master Vampire from performing a ritual that will make him unstoppable.

Thoughts: You can’t argue the in the 70s and 80s that John Carpenter brought us some brilliant movies.  It’s also tough to argue that since then, he hasn’t come close to returning to that brilliance.  Even so, he has directed some pretty decent movies since then, including In the Mouth of Madness, The Ward, and this movie, Vampires.

John Carpenter takes a vampire story and puts it into a modern Western setting.  It takes place in the Southwest and there are multiple shots that look as if they came right out of a John Wayne movie.  I swear that after I watch it, I feel as dusty as the characters in the film.

The cast is pretty phenomenal as well.  James Woods nails his role as Jack Crow, the head vampire hunter and his foil, Valek the Vampire is played equally well by Thomas Ian Griffith.  Griffith’s screen presence is very imposing and I loved the gothic look of the vampires in the western setting.  Very cool imagery indeed.  Although the team’s screen presence is pretty limited, I liked them as well, especially Mark Boone Junior, but I am biased by his recent work on Sons of Anarchy (great show if you haven’t checked it out.)  Even Daniel Baldwin delivers a very solid performance as Jack Crow’s partner, Montoya.

This is one of my favorite vampire flicks of the last 20 years and something that I watch a couple of times a year.  I love Wood’s snarky one-liners I’ve read that Carpenter let him improvise quite a bit, as long as Woods did one good cut straight from the script.  While this isn’t in the same league as Halloween or The Thing, I still think it’s pretty damn great.  If you passed this one by, check it out.

The Cabin in the Woods Mondo Poster

Check out this beauty that Mondo put out for the amazing The Cabin in the Woods.  I highly suggest you go and see it this weekend!

The Madness: Hack and Slash Week 2

Week 2 list.  Volume is a little low, but took a couple days off for my wife’s birthday where we went to a resort on the Gulf to celebrate.

14. Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987) 97m – DVD
Repeat viewing.  Departs from your typical slasher by throwing in a supernatural twist.  Decent, but not great, I rate this a 6/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points:2  (If the film is titled or takes place on a specific date or holiday; Gratuitous BOOB, BUSH, WIENER or ASS shot!!;

15. Prom Night III: The Last Kiss (1990) 97m – DVD
First Viewing. Mary Lou is back, but with a sense of humor, or at least that is the angle they took here.  More of a spoof than anything else. Pretty terrible. Rated 4.5/10
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points:Triple! ( The “Final Girl” is actually a guy)

16. Prom Night IV: Deliver Us From Evil (1992) 92m – DVD
First Viewing. The franchise takes another turn and this time an evil Priest is the killer.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points:Triple! (If the film is titled or takes place on a specific date or holiday; If you are watching a sequel 4 or higher, Gratuitous BOOB, BUSH, WIENER or ASS shot!!)

17. Prom Night (2008) 88m - DVD
First Viewing.  This fuels the fire against shitty remakes.  Felt like a bad WB episode.  I rate this a 4/10
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: If a character slips and falls while being pursued by an antagonist

18. Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006) 92m – DVD
Repeat Viewing. Great homage to the slasher genre, and a great movie on its own. I rate this a 8.5/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: If a character slips and falls while being pursued by an antagonist; If a character has a chance to kill the villain but hesitates OR “Kills them” and Walks away without doing a “Double Tap”; Gratuitous BOOB, BUSH, WIENER or ASS shot!!

19. Scream (1996) 111m – DVD
Repeat Viewing.  Craven brings back the slasher with a toungue-in-cheek tour de force. The self-awereness works great here.  I rate this a 8/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: The Killer’s face is obscured for at least 85% of the film; If a character slips and falls while being pursued by an antagonist; If a celebrity plays themselves OR a (future) A-Lister is killed (Take your pick on the future A-listers)

20. Scream 2 (1997) 120m – Blu Ray
Repeat Viewing. Decent sequel, but basically rehashed the premise of the first movie. I rate this a 7/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: The Killer’s face is obscured for at least 85% of the film; If a character has a chance to kill the villain but hesitates OR “Kills them” and Walks away without doing a “Double Tap”; If a celebrity plays themselves OR a (future) A-Lister is killed (again, take your pick).

21. Scream 3 (2000) 116m - Blu Ray
Repeat Viewing. Probably went a step too far, but still pretty decent.  I rate this a 6.5/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: The Killer’s face is obscured for at least 85% of the film; If a celebrity plays themselves OR a (future) A-Lister is killed; Someone says “I’ll Be Right Back” and well you know…(Roman the Director)

22. Scream 4 (2011) 111m – Blu Ray
First Viewing. Same formula, some new faces.  Not terrible, but should have given us something new.  Still better than 3 though, I rate this a 7/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: If you are watching a sequel 4 or higher; The Killer’s face is obscured for at least 85% of the film; Someone says “I’ll Be Right Back” and well you know…

23. Ugly Americans episodes 1-5 (2010) 21m (x5) – Streaming
First Viewing. Very inventive, and often offensive show, much in the same vein as South Park. I like it, but will hold off on rating it until I finish the season.
Base Points: 2.5 (5 episodes x .5 points per episode)

24. Blog Post – Tuck and Dale vs Evil (2010)

Tucker & Dale vs Evil

Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010)

Directed By: Eli Craig

Starring: Alan Tudyk, Tyler Labine, Katrina Bowden, Jesse Moss

Subgenre: Horror-Comedy

Synopsis: Tucker and Dale, two hillbillies fixing up their cabin, find themselves entangled with a group of college kids looking to party in the woods.  Hilarity ensues as the bodies pile up.

Thoughts: I had been hearing about Tucker and Dale for quite a while and finally decided to check it out via pay per view on the Playstation Network.  The only thing I regret about renting it was not renting it sooner. 

The best part of the movie, by far, is the acting by Labine and Tudyk.  They bring Tucker and Dale to life and do a great job.  I dare say they are the best comedic duo in a horror movie since Shaun of the Dead. I’ll even go a step farther and say this is the best horror-comedy since Shaun of the Dead. Katrina Bowden does a good job as well, and she makes for great eye candy.  She has a role in the upcoming Piranha 3DD, which I am looking forward to as well.

Director Eli Craig is an unknown, as this was his feature debut.  While I loved this movie, it remains to be seen if Craig will become a genre staple or if he struck gold with the story and actors.  I am looking forward to what he brings us next.

While the comedy aspect is what really makes this work, the gore is actually really well done.  The scene with the wood chipper had me in tears with laughter, yet it was probably the goriest scene in the movie.  It’s this great mixture, combined with the actors, that make this movie really fun.  I’ve been trying to come up with something negative about Tucker & Dale, but I can’t.  It is one of my favorite movies of the year, genre or otherwise.  I highly recommend it.

The Madness: Hack and Slash Week 1

1. Laid to Rest (2009) 90m – DVD
Repeat viewing, but a slasher that I really enjoy.  There are plenty of plot holes and some of the acting isn’t the greatest, but the killer and FX make up for it. I give this a 7/10 rating.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: 2 (The Killer’s face is obscured for at least 85% of the film; If a character slips and falls while being pursued by an antagonist.)
Total Points: 4

2. Chromeskull: Laid to Rest 2 (2011) 93m – Blu Ray
First time viewing.  Decent sequel.  Rob Hall amps up the gore, but I thought the acting was pretty poor.  I give it 6.5/10
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: TRIPLE! (The Killer’s face is obscured for at least 85% of the film; If a character slips and falls while being pursued by an antagonist, 9. Gratuitous BOOB, BUSH, WIENER or ASS shot!!)
Total Points: 6

3. Microcinema (2011) 6m (short) - Streaming
First time viewing.  Pretty interesting short with a shocking twist at the end.
No points for individual shorts

4. Prom Night (1980) 89m – DVD
Repeat viewing.  Overrated slasher in my opinion.  Probably famous because of Curtis more than the movie itself.  I rate this a 6/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: 2(If the film is titled or takes place on a specific date or holiday; The Killer’s face is obscured for at least 85% of the film)
Total Points: 4

5. Happy Birthday to Me (1981) 110m – DVD
Repeat viewing.  This is one that I seem to like more everytime I watch it.  I rate this a 7.5/10
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: 2(If the film is titled or takes place on a specific date or holiday; The Killer’s face is obscured for at least 85% of the film)
Total Points: 4

6. Maniac (1980) 87m – Streaming
First viewing.  Pretty disturbing, reminded me of New York Ripper.  Savini’s FX were top notch. 7/10
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: 1 (Gratuitous BOOB, BUSH, WIENER or ASS shot!!)
Total Points: 3

7. Priest (2011) 87m – Blu Ray
First Viewing.  More action that anything else.  Thought it had potential but was pretty disappointed with this. 6/10
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: 0
Total Points: 2

8. The Prowler (1981) 89m – DVD
Repeat Viewing.  One of my favorite slashers and more great work by Savini. I rate this 7.5/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: TRIPLE!(The Killer’s face is obscured for at least 85% of the film; If a character slips and falls while being pursued by an antagonist, Gratuitous BOOB, BUSH, WIENER or ASS shot!!)
Total Points: 6

9. Twitch of the Death Nerve (1971) 84m – DVD
Repeat Viewing. The slasher genre owes much to this little flick by Italian maestro Mario Bava.  Friday the 13th franchise repeats many of the kills here. 8/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points:Triple!  (The Killer’s face is obscured for at least 85% of the film, If a character slips and falls while being pursued by an antagonist, If the film is made in ANY OTHER Country but USA or CANADA – Italy)
Total Points: 6

10. Friday the 13th (1980) 95m – DVD
Repeat Viewing.  Seminal Slasher flick that fortified many of the rules.  I rate this a 9/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points:Triple!  (If the film is titled or takes place on a specific date or holiday, The Killer’s face is obscured for at least 85% of the film, If a celebrity plays themselves OR a (future) A-Lister is killed – Kevin Bacon)
Total Points: 6

11. Friday the 13th: Part II (1981) 87m -DVD
Repeat Viewing. A pretty decent sequel that brings us Jason Voorhees, which makes it a pretty important film in the horror genre. I rate this a 7/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points:Triple!  (If the film is titled or takes place on a specific date or holiday, The Killer’s face is obscured for at least 85% of the film, Gratuitous BOOB, BUSH, WIENER or ASS shot!!)
Total Points: 6

12. Ghoulies (1985) 81m – Streaming
Repeat Viewing. It had been ages since I had seen this, and well, the memories were better than the movie.  It is pretty terrible, but I like the use of the puppets.  I rate it a 5/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: 0
Total Points: 2

13. Hell Night (1981) 101m – Streaming
First Viewing.  Fun flick starring Linda Blair.  I rate it a 7/10.
Base Points: 2
Bonus Points: 0
Total Points: 2

Weekly Point Total: 51

HALLOWEEN HORROR MOVIE MARATHON MADNESS: THE HACK & SLASH EDITION

So, through following various blogs and Facebook pages, I’ve found myself in the middle of what looks to be like a great little Halloween contest.  It won’t change my usual October tradition of “contestants.”  I will also use this blog to track what I am watching and will be setting up another page just to track the movies, so check it out!

Barking at the Moon – My Thoughts on the Werewolf Genre

I recently watched Neil Marshall’s Dog Soldiers and when I checked into Miso (www.gomiso.com) a friend commented that it was one of the best werewolf movies out there. This got me thinking. Now, I love Dog Soldiers, I think it is a great mix of horror and action, but I don’t see it as one of the best werewolf movies of all time.  But what is the best werewolf movie ever? 

I kept mulling over the top werewolf movies of all time and decided to put together a list, but not what I consider the “best”, but what my favorite werewolf movies. After I threw together my list a shuffled it around a bit, I took to the wide world of the Internet to see other opinions. My list doesn’t differ too greatly from what I saw. I do have a bit more of an appreciation for Paul Naschy I suppose. Anyways, here is my list:

1. An American Werewolf in London

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. The Wolf Man (1941)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Night of the Werewolf (El Retorno del Hombre Lobo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. The Howling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. The Curse of the Werewolf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Ginger Snaps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Dog Soldiers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Silver Bullet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Werewolf’s Shadow (La Noche de Walpurgis)

As you can see, Dog Soldiers still makes the list, but I think there is a pretty wide gap between that and Ginger Snaps.

Some of the biggest titles missing from my list are The Company of Wolves, Wolfen, The Wolfman (2010), Wolf, Teen Wolf and the Underworld movies. I have yet to see Company, so that may well be one that cracks my list. While it has been ages since watching Wolfen, I don’t recall being too excited about it, but it is another one I should probably revisit. I wasn’t overly impressed with the Wolfman remake or Wolf for that matter. Teen Wolf is great, but not something I can include on this list. It is much more of a comedy and there are not really any horror elements in it, other than the fact it is about a werewolf. While the Underworld movies have their place in the genre, I look at them more as action movies as well.  One little known werewolf movie that almost made my list was Blood Moon.  It is a slower paced flick, but one well worth checking out if you have yet to see it.

Looking at this list, and the amount of Werewolf movies as a whole, there appears to be room for more entries.  Wes Craven failed with Cursed, but there has to be some great Werewolf stories out there, right?  Dog Soldiers and Ginger Snaps are both recent films, but all the others on this list have been around for a long time.  Maybe some aspiring screenwriter has something out there…

Welcome to my Nightmare

Welcome to my rambling thoughts on the genre that I love, generally delivered with a bit of sarcasm or humor, depending on my mood.  This time of year, I watch what may be deemed as an unhealthy amount of horror movies, so check back often and feel free to drop me a line or leave a comment.