Category: Horror

“Night of the Living Dead” (1968) directed by George Romero / Z-View

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Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Director: George A. Romero

Screenplay: John Russo, George A. Romero

Stars: Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Keith Wayne, Judith Ridley, Kyra Schon, S. William Hinzman, Bill Cardille, John A. Russo, Russell Streiner and George A. Romero.

Tagline:  They won’t stay dead!

The Plot…

When the dead suddenly begin reanimating with a craving for human flesh, a group of strangers find themselves together in a deserted farmhouse.  As the group argues about their best moves for survival, the dead continue to gather outside!  Soon the farmhouse will be overrun.  The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Night of the Living Dead, shot on a shoestring budget with most of the cast taking their first acting roles, reinvented and revitalized zombie movies.  Investors in the film, many of the people who worked on the film behind the scenes and some of locals ended up taking on-screen roles as well.

Although NotLD is one of the most profitable independent films of all-time.  Sadly, George Romero didn’t see much of the profits due to his little understanding of distribution deals.  To make matters worse, the film was released with no copyright notice which at the time placed it in the public domain.  Anyone or any company could make a sell copies of the movie with no proceeds going to George Romero or his investors.  That’s why there are so many crappy versions available.

NotLD takes place on the first day of a zombie apocalypse.  No one knows what is going on or the best course of action.  One of the interesting aspects of NotLD is that Harry Cooper argues that everyone is safer in the basement.  Cooper is the least likeable of the group and a different course of action is taken.  Turns out Cooper’s idea was the best.

Night of the Living Dead (1968) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“War of the Colossal Beast” (1958) produced and directed by Bert I. Gordon / Z-View

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War of the Colossal Beast (1958)

Director: Bert I. Gordon

Screenplay: George Worthing Yates, story by Bert I. Gordon

Stars: Sally Fraser, Duncan ‘Dean’ Parkin, Russ Bender, Jack Kosslyn and Rico Alaniz.

Tagline:  The towering terror from hell!

The Plot…

When it is learned that Glenn Manning aka The Amazing Colossal Man is alive, the Army captures him for further study.  Manning was caught in the fallout from an atomic bomb test.  Although Manning survived the blast, radiation caused him to grow 60 feet tall.  Now horribly disfigured and brain damaged, Manning is a threat who may be beyond curing.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

War of the Colossal Beast is the sequel to The Amazing Colossal Man released a year earlier.

The movie gets more exciting once the army captures the Amazing Colossal Man.  A word of warning:  Be very careful should you ever give a giant an injection.  The scenes at the end outside the observatory are the best.  The last minute or so of the film appears in color and the change is effective.

War of the Colossal Beast (1958) rates 2 of 5 stars.

SGT. ROCK VS the ARMY OF THE DEAD by Bruce Campbell and Eduardo Risso!

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Bruce Campbell teamed with Eduardo Risso to create SGT. ROCK VS the ARMY OF THE DEAD.  Here’s the lowdown…

Berlin, 1944. The Nazis are besieged on all fronts by the Allied forces. Defeat is inevitable. But Hitler and his team of evil scientists attempt a last-ditch effort that may turn the tide of the war and rewrite history itself: a serum that resurrects their dead soldiers, stronger than they were in life, and sends them back into the battlefield.

Now Sgt. Frank Rock and Easy Company have been dispatched into enemy territory to face off against the strangest, most horrific enemies they’ve ever encountered: Nazi zombies!

Sgt. Rock and Easy Company are behind enemy lines, armed to the teeth, and ready to go up against the strangest-and deadliest-enemies they’ve ever encountered: zombies, and a whole lot of ’em! Strap in, soldiers, it’s you against the world…of the dead!

Horror icon Bruce Campbell and comics legend Eduardo Risso bring you a terror-soaked Sgt. Rock tale like no other!

Collects DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead #1-6.

“Gangnam Zombie” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Here we have the poster and trailer for Gangnam Zombie.  I’m always down for a good drive-in movie.  Gangnam Zombie looks to fit the bill.

Zombies done Gangnam Style.  ; )

GANGNAM ZOMBIE:
Soon after previously normal people begin viciously attacking other citizens in Seoul’s wealthy Gangnam district, the zombie population grows exponentially and spreads throughout the region. Now, long after injuries forced him to quit the national taekwondo team, an elite former athlete is given one more opportunity to use his talent on behalf of his country as he takes on one final match—this time, against terrifying hordes of the undead.

Directed by: Lee Su-seong
Cast: Ji Il-ju, PARK Ji-yeon, CHO Kyung-hoon

“Psycho: The Lost Tapes of Ed Gein” – The Trailer is Here!

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Wow!  Original recordings of Ed Gein interviews.  Deal me in.

Psycho: The Lost Tapes of Ed Gein premieres September 17th, 2023- only on MGM+

This MGM+ original docuseries follows the horrifying grave robber and serial killer Ed Gein whose crimes inspired such iconic films as Psycho and The Silence of the Lambs. With new reveals and never-before-heard recordings, viewers will be transported to late-1950s Middle America and submerged in Gein’s perverse mind. The series explores Gein’s upbringing and twisted relationship with his mother, his early grave robbing and murders, and the police’s discovery of his terrifying house of horrors.

“While the City Sleeps” (1956) directed by Fritz Lang, starring Dana Andrews & Rhonda Fleming / Z-View

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While the City Sleeps (1956)

Director: Fritz Lang

Screenplay: Casey Robinson based on The Bloody Spur by Charles Einstein

Stars: Dana Andrews, Rhonda Fleming, George Sanders, Howard Duff, Thomas Mitchell, Vincent Price, Sally Forrest, John Drew Barrymore, Ida Lupino, Robert Warwick, Mae Marsh, Larry J. Blake and Celia Lovsky.

Tagline:  Sensational LIPSTICK Murderer

The Plot…

The Lipstick Killer has the city on edge.  He continues to murder women and leave taunting messages.  The killings are coming with greater frequency. The news media is having a field day.

Amos Kyne (Warwick) died leaving his son, Walter (Price) in charge of the Kyne News Media conglomerate (newspaper, television, wire service).  Walter has little business sense. He decides his best bet is to create an Executive Director to run the corporation.  Walter offers the job to his top reporter/television commentator, Edward Mobley (Andrews).  Mobley turns him down flat.

Walter then tells the head of each arm of the conglomerate that whoever breaks the story of the capture of The Lipstick Killer will become the new Executive Director of Kyne News Media.  All three men want the job and are willing to go to great lengths to get it.  Although Mobley doesn’t want the position, he agrees to help his friend get it. Mobley goes on live tv and taunts the killer.  This puts Mobley and his fiancé in the killer’s path.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Vincent Price is perfectly cast as the smarmy son placed in charge of a business that he has no idea how to run.

There’s a lot of romance drama at the expense of serial killer drama.

There was a real serial killer dubbed The Lipstick Killer a decade prior to the release of While the City Sleeps!

While the City Sleeps (1956) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“My Animal” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for My Animal has my attention.  This one looks like a winner.

Bobbi Salvör Menuez (Euphoria) and Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies) ignite in this genre-bending supernatural love story. Tormented by a hidden family curse, Heather is forced to live a secluded life on the outskirts of a small town. When she falls for the rebellious Jonny, their connection threatens to unravel Heather’s suppressed desires, tempting her to unleash the animal within.

LONG PAST MIDNIGHT by Jonathan Maberry!

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Jonathan Maberry has a book of short stories coming out on August 22nd.  Here’s the lowdown on LONG PAST MIDNIGHT…

Five-time Bram Stoker Award-winner Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of the Pine Deep Trilogy, weaves a chilling web of small-town terrors, local legends, and hair-raising haunts set in the eerie world of Pine Deep, Pennsylvania. Eleven terrifying tales are gathered here for the first time in a single volume — including one exclusive, brand new story!

Foreword by Josh Malerman, New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box

Four children explore an abandoned house that’s supposed to be haunted—and discover something far more terrifying than any ghost. A rash of fatal accidents in the town of Pine Deep keeps a cemetery worker busier than ever—because the dead won’t stay buried. Ex-cop Joe Ledger searches for a missing witness in “the spookiest town in America”—but finds there is no protection program against the forces of evil. . .

SOME STORIES CAN ONLY BE TOLD . . . LONG PAST MIDNIGHT

“Let Me In” (2010) directed by Matt Reeves, starring Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloë Grace Moretz & Richard Jenkins / Z-View

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Let Me In (2010)

Director: Matt Reeves

Screenplay: Matt Reeves based on Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Stars: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloë Grace Moretz, Richard Jenkins, Cara Buono, Elias Koteas, Dylan Kenin, Chris Browning, Ritchie Coster and Dylan Minnette.

Tagline:  Innocence dies. Abby doesn’t.

The Plot…

Owen is having a bad year.  His recently divorced parents don’t have much time for him.  He has no friends and is being bullied at school.  Then one winter evening he meets Abby.  She’s twelve, too.  Abby is strange, but nice.  Abby lives with her dad in an apartment across the way. Abby doesn’t go to school.  Each evening Owen talks to Abby before he has to go in for the night.  Although the bullying at school is getting worse, Owen and Abby are starting to like each other more than friends.

What nobody knows is Abby is a vampire.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Let Me In is a remake of Let the Right One In, a 2008 Swedish film directed by Tomas Alfredson with a screenplay by John Ajvide Lindqvist based on his novel LET THE RIGHT ONE IN.

Matt Reeves directed Cloverfield before taking the helm of Let Me In.  He would go on to direct Dawn of the Planet of the Apes; War for the Planet of the Apes; and The Batman.  I thought Cloverfield was good, Dawn and War for the Planet of the Apes, very good and The Batman, even better.  Let Me In may be my preference of all of his films.

Stephen King called Let Me In his favorite film of 2010 and named it “The best American horror film in the last twenty years.”

Matt Reeves deserves much of the credit for the success of Let Me In.  He creates moody scenes that he lets play out.  There are special effects but they are used sparingly and effectively.

Kodi Smit-McPhee was an excellent choice to play Owen.  Chloë Grace Moretz is perfect as Abby, the vampire who has been 12 for a very long time.  Richard Jenkins was a surprising choice to play “father”.  I loved the suspense of his scenes when he went out at night alone.  Dylan Minnette made a great bully.

I put off watching Let Me In for a long time because of the kid being bullied and girl who is a vampire story made me think it’d be more for teenagers.  I was wrong.  I look forward to repeated viewings of Let Me In (and I plan to seek out Let the Right One In).

Let Me In (2010) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Blade Trinity” (2004) starring Wesley Snipes, Ryan Reynolds & Jessica Biel / Z-View

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Blade Trinity (2004)

Director: David S. Goyer

Screenplay: David S. Goyer based on a character created by Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan

Stars: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Parker Posey, Ryan Reynolds, Dominic Purcell, Jessica Biel, John Michael Higgins, Paul Levesque, Françoise Yip, Michael Anthony Rawlins, James Remar and Patton Oswalt.

Tagline:  He’s fought the forces of darkness alone…until now.

The Plot…

When Blade (Snipes) is captured by the police, Hannibal King (Reynolds) and Abigail Whistler (Biel) rescue him.  They then recruit Blade to join them in their efforts to wipe out all vampires. Blade learns that the Vampire Nation has reawakened Dracula (the original vampire) and they plan to use Dracula’s blood to increase the powers of all vampires, Blade joins Hannibal and Abagail in a fight to save the human race.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

After recently watching Blade II (which I love), I decided to give Blade Trinity another viewing.  It wasn’t as good as I remembered and then I had rated Blade Trinity 3 of 5 stars.  I think my lower rating is due to Ryan Reynold’s snarky comments.  They may have seemed fresh when I first saw Blade Trinity, but it seems that’s what Reynolds does in every role.  It’s grown stale for me.

From all reports the production of Blade Trinity didn’t go well.  Snipes was reportedly upset with choices Goyer was making.  Snipes also felt that too much time was given to Reynolds and Biel at the cost to Blade.  I agree.

Blade Trinity (2004) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Blade II” (2002) directed by Guillermo del Toro, starring Wesley Snipes and Ron Perlman / Z-View

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Blade II (2002)

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Screenplay: David S. Goyer based on a character created by Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan

Stars: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Ron Perlman, Leonor Varela, Norman Reedus, Thomas Kretschmann, Luke Goss, Matt Schulze, Danny John-Jules, Donnie Yen, Karel Roden, Tony Curran, Daz Crawford, Samuel Le and Marek Vasut.

Tagline:  In A World Beyond The One We Know, The Forces Of Darkness Fear One Man…Blade!

The Plot…

A new breed of vampire, called “Reapers” have appeared.  The Reapers are primitive, mindless killers, with a need for blood. Their bite can mutate both humans and vampires into Reapers.  When it becomes clear that the Reapers are targeting vampires, Eli Damaskinos, the Vampire Overlord proposes a truce with Blade.  Damaskinos wants Blade to lead his vampire assassins in an effort to wipe out the Reapers.  Blade forms an uneasy alliance with the group of vampires originally assembled to kill him.

Of course not all is as it seems.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

I was not a fan of the original Blade.  I am a huge fan of Blade II.  I love everything about it.  It’s got a fun story.  The Reapers have a cool design.  The vampire team that joins Blade have unique looks and personalities.  Wesley Snipes was born to play Blade.  Guillermo del Toro understands what makes this type of film work.  I’ve watched Blade II multiple times and like a good vampire, it always sucks me in.

Blade II (2002) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Psycho” (1960) directed by Alfred Hitchcock / Z-View

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Psycho (1960)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Screenplay: Joseph Stefano based on Psycho by Robert Bloch

Stars: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam, John McIntire, Simon Oakland, Frank Albertson, Patricia Hitchcock, Vaughn Taylor and John Anderson.

Tagline:  The picture you MUST see from the beginning… Or not at all!… For no one will be seated after the start of… Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest shocker Psycho.

The Plot…

Marion Crane (Leigh) in a moment of weakness steals $40,000.00 from her boss.  She packs her bags and heads off to meet her lover (who has no idea of what she has done).  It’s a long drive so Marion decides to spend the night at the Bates’ Motel.  The motel is located off the main road in a remote location.  There’s no one else staying there.  The place is run by mild mannered Norman Bates who takes care of his invalid mother who lives in the house on the hill.

She should be safe for one night…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

After reading the Robert Bloch novel, Hitchcock bought the rights to the book and lobbied Paramount Pictures to get the film made.  The studio didn’t have faith in the material.  They agreed to a small budget ($800,000) if Mr. Hitchcock would defer his salary ($250,000) and instead take 60% of the gross.  It worked out well since Hitchcock ended up making about $15 million!

I love that the movie starts out as a crime film and turns into a horror movie.  What other movie has the “lead” actress killed off about an hour in?  The top billed actor, Anthony Perkins, doesn’t even appear until about 30 minutes into the film.

Hitchock loved the score by Bernard Herrmann so much that he reportedly doubled Herrmann’s salary.  Hitchcock also planned to have the shower scene appear as a silent sequence.  After seeing it with the score Herrmann created, Hitch decided it worked better with music.

Anthony Perkins gives a master class in acting when questioned by Martin Balsam.

Simon Oakland shows up for one scene and it’s impact reminded me of Alec Baldwin’s in Glengary Glen Ross.

Psycho is another of Alfred Hitchcock’s classics.

Psycho (1960) rates 5 of 5 stars.