Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Here’s another cool color publicity photo for Creature from the Black Lagoon. While I enjoy seeing these color photos, I like that the movie is black and white. Am I wrong?
Source: Hammer Horror Films.
Check out the new poster for Godzilla Minus 1, That is a nice poster!
Godzilla has always been my least favorite movie monster. My opinion of the big guy may change after seeing Godzilla Minus 1 and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
Dracula (1979)
Director: John Badham
Screenplay by: W. D. Richter based on DRACULA by Bram Stoker and Dracula (1924 play) by Hamilton Deane
and John L. Balderston
Starring: Frank Langella, Laurence Olivier, Donald Pleasence, Kate Nelligan and Trevor Eve.
Tagline: Throughout history, he has filled the hearts of men with terror, and the hearts of women with desire.
The Story:
The ship, the Demeter, is found floating just off shore. All of the crew have been murdered. Count Dracula (Langella) is the only passenger to survive. He’s unable to explain what happened.
Dr. Jack Seward (Pleasence) hosts a dinner party to welcome the charming new arrival to their community. Dracula tells them that he has come to England to partake of all that life offers. Lucy Seward (Nelligan) finds herself attracted to Dracula, despite being engaged to Jonathan Harker (Eve) who is there with her. What nobody knows is that Dracula is a vampire with plans to make Lucy his bride.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
I saw Dracula when it was first released in 1979. I’ve rewatched it a few times since. I liked it best on the initial viewing. Since then I’ve found this version’s focus on making Dracula more of a lover weakens the character.
I also find the supporting characters in this version less interesting. Reinfeld should be pathetic and sometimes scary. This version’s Renfield is just gross. The relationship between Harker and Lucy doesn’t have chemistry. When she shows an interest in Dracula, Harker doesn’t look more than a little peeved. The audience doesn’t have a lot of, pardon the expression, “stake” in what happens between them. Finally, Dracula should be menacing. He should be frightening. When he enters a room, men should get a feeling that a apex predator is among them. Here he looks like he would be more at home in a disco than a castle.
In the play Dracula, the two main females’ names are inverted. Mina becomes Lucy and Lucy, Mina. Director John Badham also inverted the names. His rationale? He “felt like Mina was a dopey name and that Lucy was kind of a nice name.”
Frank Langella is quoted as saying that Sir Laurence Olivier only took the part because he needed the money. It is also reported that Olivier would only appear in the film if his character was killed. That way he wouldn’t be brought back for a sequel. Donald Pleasence said in an interview: “We had a really good time but it was an awful film…Larry (Olivier) and I did it for a laugh.” Sometimes it is hard to love a film that the actors hold in such low regard.
Deal me in.
John Goodman reprises his role from Kong: Skull Island as Monarch official Bill Randa in this kaiju-packed opening scene from the Apple TV+ series.
Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco, and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters tracks two siblings following in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch.
Clues lead them into the world of monsters and ultimately down the rabbit hole to Army officer Lee Shaw (played by Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows. The dramatic saga – spanning three generations – reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives.
Hailing from Legendary Television, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is co-developed and executive produced by Chris Black and Matt Fraction. Matt Shakman directs the first two episodes and serves as executive producer alongside Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell from Safehouse Pictures, Andy Goddard, Brad Van Arragon, and Andrew Colville. Hiro Matsuoka and Takemasa Arita executive produce on behalf of Toho Co., Ltd., the owner of the Godzilla character. Toho licensed the rights to Legendary for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters as a natural byproduct of their long-term relationship with the film franchise.
Starring Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters‘ premieres globally with the first two episodes on Friday, November 17 on Apple TV+, followed by one episode every Friday through January 12.
Love the poster and the trailer for Godzilla Minue One.
Deal me in.
On December 1, a new reign begins.
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Director: James Whale
Screenplay by: William Hurlbut, story by William Hurlbut, John L. Balderston based on premise suggested by FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Starring: Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Elsa Lanchester, Valerie Hobson, Ernest Thesiger, Gavin Gordon, Douglas Walton, E.E. Clive, Dwight Frye, Billy Barty, Walter Brennan, John Carradine and Una O’Connor.
Tagline: A BRIDE FOR THE MONSTER COMES TO LIFE IN A SCIENTIST’S LABORATORY!
The Story:
The Bride of Frankenstein picks up immediately where Frankenstein ended. Miraculously, although severely injured, Henry Frankenstein (Clive) is not dead. As the crowd breaks up, some carry Henry back home to recover. Meanwhile the monster, also thought to be dead, has survived the destruction of the windmill. It climbs out and begins to wander the countryside.
Once healthy enough, Henry pays a visit to his friend Doctor Pretorius (Thesiger). Pretorius shares results of his experiments and encourages Henry to continue efforts to create living creatures from cadavers. Henry is hesitant. Despite Pretorius’ pleas, Henry refuses.
Things heat up when the monster returns, Pretorius prevails and Henry is forced to create The Bride of Frankenstein. We learn there’s one thing worse than an upset bride.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
It’s rare that a sequel is better than the original. The Bride of Frankenstein is one of those rare ones.
Universal wanted a follow up after the success of Frankenstein. Director James Whale was hesitant to return. It took four years and multiple writers to come up with a suitable script. Once Whale and the script were in place, Karloff, Clive and Frye returned to reprise their roles.
Elsa Lanchester isn’t listed in the opening credits instead a ? is used to name who was playing the Bride. The same was done in Frankenstein when a ? was listed instead of Karloff’s name as the actor playing The Monster. Despite being the title character the Bride only appears for a few minutes at the very end of the film.
The scene where Henry visits Doctor Pretorius and is shown the little people he created has always seemed a bit out of place to me.
The Bride of Frankenstein has more humor than the original, but the balance is right and it doesn’t detract from the film. I’m looking at you, Una O’Connor.
There are some surprising uncredited cameos in The Bride of Frankenstein. Billy Barty plays a baby, while Walter Brennan and John Carradine show up as town folk.
One of my favorite monster movies is The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Although it produced two sequels, neither is as good as the original. Isn’t time we got a reboot?
At any rate, this photo is from Revenge of the Creature. Truth be told, I like the photo better than the movie.
Source: Hammer Horror Films.
Frankenstein (1931)
Director: James Whale
Screenplay by: Garrett Fort, Francis Edward Faragoh based on FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley
Starring: Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff, Edward Van Sloan, Dwight Frye and Marilyn Harris.
Tagline: The Man Who Made A Monster!
The Story:
Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Clive) dreams of creating a living being from body parts stolen from cadavers. Frankenstein’s hunchbacked assistant, Fritz (Frye) steals the corpses of recently hung criminals. When Frankenstein achieves success, his creation becomes uncontrollable.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
Although based on Mary Shelley’s famous novel, the movie uses her story as a springboard. The “monster” looks different than Shelley described thanks to make-up artist Jack P. Pierce. Universal copyrighted the look through 2026. In the novel the “monster” is intelligent and able to carry on conversations. It was quite a shock for me as a kid reading the novel after seeing the movie.
Although Boris Karloff isn’t listed in the opening credits, and is covered by heavy makeup throughout the film, Frankenstein made him a star!
Happy Halloween!
What better way to celebrate than with this cool Dracula poster by Satchel Nickoma Couture?
The Omega Man (1971)
Director: Boris Sagal
Screenplay by: John William Corrington, Joyce H. Corrington based on I AM LEGEND by Richard Matheson
Starring: Charlton Heston, Anthony Zerbe, Rosalind Cash, Paul Koslo, Eric Laneuville, Lincoln Kilpatrick, John Dierkes, Monika Henreid, Linda Redfearn and Stewart East.
Tagline: The last man alive… is not alone!
The Story:
Two years after a World War where biological weapons were used, U.S. Army Col. Robert Neville, M.D. (Heston) believes himself to be the only living human. Neville spends his days looking for signs of other humans and killing any mutants that he finds. The mutants rest during the day and come out at night.
To protect himself, Neville has fortified an apartment building. He lives on the top floor. The lower floors are booby trapped. He has floodlights to brighten the area since bright lights blind the mutants. Neville also has dozens of automatic weapons and bombs to keep them at bay. Each night the mutants show up to taunt and attempt to breach Neville’s home.
When Neville learns that their is a small band of humans living somewhere near, he makes it his mission to find and help them. But the mutants are also looking. It’s all going to come to a head and sometimes there are no happy endings.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
I saw The Omega Man when it was first released. I was 12, and the perfect age for sci-fi/horror. I loved Charlton Heston in Ben-Hur and more importantly The Planet of the Apes. So I was excited to see his next adventure. I wasn’t disappointed. Re-visiting The Omega Man in the years (decades) that followed I found it to be less thrilling. There are scenes (particularly those with the motorcycle) that the Neville is obviously not Heston. There’s a 70s vibe that permeates the film. The clothes, the language, the attitude are all hip. At least they’re supposed to be.
Heston spends a lot of time shirtless. He was in great shape for his age, so perhaps he put it in his contract. ; )
Director Boris Sagal mostly worked as a director of television shows and made-for-tv movies. At times The Omega Man feels like one.
Rosalind Cash plays Heston’s love interest. In 1971, this was controversial. I guess it still is with some folks. Look for a young Eric Laneuville of Room 222 and St. Elsewhere fame as one of the kids. Laneuville went on to a career both acting and directing!
The Omega Man isn’t great cinema, But it does qualify as a fun “drive-in” movie.
Check out this cool Day of the Dead alt poster by JJ Harrison. It is available from Bottleneck Gallery. You can see more of JJ’s art here and here.
Magic (1978)
Director: Richard Attenborough
Screenplay by: William Goldman based on his novel MAGIC.
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith, Ed Lauter, E.J. André, David Ogden Stiers, Jerry Houser, Lillian Randolph, Beverly Sanders and Steve Hart.
Tagline: Abracadabra, I sit on his knee. Presto chango, and now he is me. Hocus Pocus, we take her to bed. Magic is fun; we’re dead.
The Story:
Charles “Corky” Withers (Hopkins) is a failed magician. Nerves got the best of him when he was on stage. So Corky developed a new act. He performs as a ventriloquist with a dirty-mouth, wisecracking dummy named Fats. Corky is on the verge of a huge deal for a television special and more. The only hitch is that the producers are demanding Corky get the usual medical check-ups.
And THAT is a deal breaker.
You see, Corky isn’t in his right mind. Just ask Fats. He’ll tell ya.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
I saw Magic when it was first released. My girlfriend (now my wife) really liked it. I found Magic to be just okay. I recently re-watched Magic and my opinion of it improved.
Richard Attenborough perhaps best known as Hammond in Jurassic Park directed Magic. You might think that the director of A Bridge Too Far, Ghandi and A Chorus Line would be an odd choice for a small horror/suspense film, but Attenborough does a fine job,
Anthony Hopkins is marvelous as the tormented talent. Burgess Meredith goes low-key as Corky’s flashy manager. Their “five minute” scene is a standout. Ann Margaret downplays the make-up and glamour. She’s still a looker. Ed Lauter gets to show off his acting chops as Ann Margaret’s about-to-be-jilted husband. His scene with Hopkins in the rowboat is another movie highlight.
My biggest nit-to-pick is that Ann Margaret’s character should have seen the signs that Corky wasn’t all there. Most folks would counter that she couldn’t see past the bad relationship with her husband, and Corky, her high school sweetheart was a way out.
The Night Stalker (1972)
Director: John Llewellyn Moxey
Screenplay by: Richard Matheson based on THE KOLCHAK PAPERS by Jeff Rice
Starring: Darren McGavin, Carol Lynley, Simon Oakland, Ralph Meeker, Claude Akins, Charles McGraw, Kent Smith, Stanley Adams, Larry Linville, Jordan Rhodes, Barry Atwater, Edward Faulkner, Buddy Joe Hooker and Elisha Cook Jr..
Tagline: A vampire killer loose in Las Vegas? It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?
The Story:
A serial killer in Las Vegas continues to leave victims drained of blood. Reporter Carl Kolchak (McGavin) believes that the murderer believes he’s a vampire. When Kolchak turns in an article saying that, he is called into a meeting with his editor and the police. Kolchak’s story is rejected. His editor thinks it would tarnish the paper’s reputation. The police think it would panic the public.
What everyone doesn’t know, but will learn – the killer is a vampire!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
The Night Stalker was released as an ABC Movie of the Week in 1972. I was 11 years old and couldn’t wait to see it. I wasn’t the only one. The Night Stalker became the highest rated tv movie up to that point. The following year, Kolchak returned when The Night Strangler was released. Kolchak: The Night Stalker was then adapted into a television series. It lasted one season, but became a cult classic.
The Night Stalker was produced by Dan “Dark Shadows” Curtis. It features an outstanding cast considering it was a made-for-tv movie. Darren McGavin is Carl Kolchak. It was cool to see him play the character in two movies and the television series. Carol Lynley doesn’t have much to do as Kolchak’s girlfriend. Ralph Meeker has a nice role as Kolchak’s buddy on the force. The Night Stalker is filled with great character actors including Simon Oakland, Claude Akins, Charles McGraw, Kent Smith and Stanley Adams. Even Elisha Cook Jr. gets a cameo!
I loved The Night Stalker when I was a kid. A recent rewatch was fun. The Night Stalker rates 3 of 5 stars.
I like the looks of Wintertide. Deal me in.
Release Date: 11/14/2023
Directed by: John Barnard
Starring: Niamh Carolan, Solange Sookram, Jeremy Walmsley, Jesse Nobess, Colleen Furlan, Darcy Fehr, John B. Lowe, Onalee Ames, Michael O’Sullivan
Synopsis: Beth, a volunteer watch person of an isolated northern city battles a plague of depression that transforms the few remaining residents into empty, zombie-like automatons. She discovers that by entering an alternative dimension through her own dreams, she’s able to stave off the illness during the long, possibly endless winter. But will her power be enough to sustain her?
The Devil on Trial (2023)
Director: Chris Holt
Written by: Chris Holt
Tagline: Did the Devil Do It?
The Story:
In 1981, Arne Johnson stabbed Alan Bono to death. Bono was Johnson’s landlord and had, in the past, dated Johnson’s girlfriend. Although there was no doubt that Johnson was the murderer, he claimed he didn’t remember doing it. When the case went to trial, his defense was that he was possessed by the devil/a demon and therefore wasn’t responsible.
This documentary explores the foundation for that defense and the result of the trial.
In 1980, Arne Johnson was dating Debbie Glatzel. Some of Debbie’s family believed that her younger brother, David was possessed by the devil. On more than one occasion David had to be held down by family members (and Arne) while David cursed, screamed and convulsed. David’s behavior was extreme enough that his mother contacted Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Warrens were famous for their involvement in The Amityville Murders. The Warrens assisted David’s mother in getting the church to conduct an exorcism. During the procedure, as David was struggling, Arne reportedly yelled at the demon, “Leave this little kid alone. Take on me. I’m here.”
So when Arne killed David, he asserted that the devil/demon had made him do it. This documentary uses actual voice recordings. archival footage, home movies and actor recreations to recount the story.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
While Arne wanted to use the “the devil made me do it” defense, he never got to. The judge ruled that “possession” was not a valid defense. He didn’t allow it. Arne ended up being found guilty of manslaughter.
Now to David Glatzel. Some of David’s family believed that he was possessed. One of David’s brothers said it was an act. He said that during one of David’s sessions while cursing, hitting and yelling, David’s father came into the room. Father grabbed David and slapped him. Dad told David to shut up and sit in a chair. The brother said, “The devil did as he was told”. In other words, it was an act.
David’s mother was a religious woman. She may have believed that David was possessed at the start. By the time the Warrens got involved, it seemed to be more about fame and the money. Also near the end of the documentary a sick allegation against the mother is made. I won’t give it away, but if true indicates mom had serious issues of her own.
As to the Warrens, this film puts them in a very bad light. They took advantage of David’s family. The Warrens kept almost all of the money off book and movie deals in regard to David’s story. Money that had been promised to the Glatzel family. If you’ve seen The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, that’s the Glatzel family’s story.
The Devil on Trial leaves it to viewers to determine if the possessions were real or not, There’s evidence that could support whatever you decide. As to the actions of the Warrens, the evidence points to them not being on the up and up.
