More film watching this long MoonBase winter. This week's treats have been:
Cabin Fever - early 2000' - this was Gorno King Eli Roth's debut and I imagine quite a tame offering to what he directed later ( not seen anything else he's made). CF isn't that gory at all, a sort of heavily diluted Evil Dead. Ive enjoyed it each time I've seen it and Roth even cameos as the cave dwelling junkie with a dog. The most interesting character is the young deputy who's obsession with 'pardying' is hilarious. Oddly enough this actor vanished from the public eye in 2015 ( thanks Wikipedia!). Cabin Fever was remade twenty years later and I doubt it retains the rustic simple charms of the original.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers - 1978 - my, how I love this remake. It's got everything: Seventies New York, creepy dustbin wagons, Donald Sutherland, a young Jeff Goldblum and the gorgeous Brooke Adams, whom I must confess I'm in love with (she even starred in the Stuff!). It's her fabulous smile! Yep, Invasion is a remarkable flick and the grex effects are just superb, the pod birthing scene being truly grotesque. And the leading man from the Fifties original gets a respectful cameo too! A great film experience and altogether chilling - a metaphor for all prejudices everywhere - who can forget that final finger-pointing shriek by Pod Donald!
Q the Flying Serpent - 1982 - a late Seventies- imbued creature feature, once more set in the frenetic Big Apple and a real monster gem. I love this movie! It stars Michael Moriarty, a true impresario of the schlock genre - he was the lead in the brilliant The Stuff - and a golden oldie from my Kung Fu days, David Carradine. The lead actress is fab too, the name Shelley Winters springs to mind but I don't think that's right. Q the monster itself is a little ropey but I really appreciate the effort and together with the skyline world of NYC it really is an eerie experience. The sub-plot of an ancient race of creatures reminds of that other classic, Wolfen, which I must see again. Wow! Q! Bird is the word! It must be a model kit somewhere.
Saltburn - recent - my Missus mentioned this so we had a dabble. The name intrigued me as it's an east coast sea resort near here, where I once purchased loads of vintage boxed crawling spider toys from a clearance store! As for the flick itself, which has nothing to do with that easy coast resort if the same name, it's relatively new so I won't spoil anything. A sumptuous watch about the idle rich - it's lush set looks were influenced by Coppola's Dracula. If you can stand modern English toffs lounging about Saltburn, their sprawling country pile, waiting for anyone to brighten their hollow lives then this is for you!
What have you watched of late?
I'm with you on two of these flicks (have not seen the newer ones). The 1978 Invasion of the Body Snatchers is that rare remake that actually improves on the original. and "Q" is simply fabulous, a 1950s monster movie in the lame-duck 1980s! SFZ
ReplyDeleteHappy days SF!
DeletePredator: Badlands lifts the franchise right back up to the heights of excellent filmmaking once more, whilst delivering a neat crossover with the Alien franchise. The Predators themselves are shown in much greater detail and the whole film is really enjoyable. Conversley Predator: Killer of Killers - the animated film is lacklustre and unimaginative. 28 Years Later and Bone Temple - which could be watched back to back as they follow on, seamlessly - are excellent. Not for the weak stomach though. Scenery of a future UK, overtaken by nature is wonderful. Im not a zombie fan, but this brings a refreshing change to the genre. Ralph Fiennes is absolutely amazing in the second film too! On Tv, Small Prophets is absolutely hilarious, but touchingly warm and a little sad. Apart from that, theres not much going on for now - waiting for 'Project Hail Mary', 'Neuromancer', 'Blade Runner 2099' and the second season of Ahsoka! Bill
ReplyDeleteI agree Bill, Badlands is brilliant and a return to the newness of the first film. The effects and settings are fabulous. It'll be hard to follow! Not seen any of 28 franchise except the debut years ago. Zombies don't do it for me, their obsession with brains. Besides which I'm squeamish. Small prophets us a joy. I've only seen one episode. It reminds me of Catweazle somehow, alchemy and magic in suburbia. I'm looking forward to the Beatles films, four of them. I imagine you'll be in Ringo's! Ha ha!
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