Category: Movie Discussions
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Aenigma (1987)
For me, Lucio Fulci reached the summit of his career in the 1980s. From 1979 (Zombie) through 1981 (The House by the Cemetery), his creative juices were flowing like the blood in many of his films. This is excepting, of course, Don’t Torture a Duckling (1972.) He had a brief excursion into action/adventure/fantasy in the mid-80s, then his…
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The Bubble (1966)
You can’t help but wonder if Stephen King had seen The Bubble (1966) when he wrote his 2009 novel, Under the Dome. If so, he undoubtedly improved upon the material by giving us multiple characters and story arcs when a giant invisible barrier covers Chester’s Mill, Maine. In The Bubble, it’s just three people who are transported to an…
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A Shriek in the Night (1933)
It’s been a while since we’ve discussed a Poverty Row film, and this is a good one to discuss. Although it falls into the “when you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all” formula of many early film talkies, with a fast-talking female news reporter investigating a murder and getting further with it than the police,…
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Night of Bloody Horror (1969)
Night of Bloody Horror (1969) is neither very good nor sophisticated, but I’ll be darned if I didn’t like it quite a bit. After the trying experience of watching Bigfoot (1970) for a guest appearance on The Die Cast Movie Podcast, the opening felt familiar in tone and style. However, something grabbed me and I remained interested through the…
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Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971)
For two discussions in a row, I’ve brought a movie that isn’t really horror. However, Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971) carries enough geek cred that I don’t want to exclude it. Forgive me for focusing on the murder mystery aspects thinking it was a thriller loosely fitting into the classic horror mold. It’s really a…
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Last Summer (1969)
Except for a horrific ending, we can’t classify Last Summer (1969) as a classic “horror” film. However, it elicits the feeling of nostalgia that accompanies many of the movies we discuss. Plus, if you’ve ever been the victim of psychological bullying, you know it’s a form of horror, especially if it goes as far as to erupt…
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At the Earth’s Core (1976)
When I watch a film from the Golden or Atomic Age of horror, I’m not bothered by the primitive special effects. I find them charming, and I’m often impressed by how much was accomplished with so little technology. Why then do I watch a movie from the Occult Age and judge it so harshly for…
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The Devil-Doll (1936)
For me, The Devil-Doll (1936) is one of the real curiosities of the Golden Age of horror. With some obvious content, it reminds me of Bride of Frankenstein, released a year earlier. For example, one of the main characters, Malita (Rafaela Ottiano), has a white stripe in her piled hair. Ottiano gives an over-the-top performance that evokes someone…
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The Human Vapor (1960)
I’m a little perplexed to read about the critical and popular success of The Human Vapor (1960), the third movie in the Japanese “Transforming Human Series” that includes The H-Man (1958) and The Secret of the Telegian (1960.) I mean, I’m thrilled that a film like this is so beloved, but I just didn’t get that much out of it. Others…
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Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956)
When we approach the 4th of July holiday, I’m reminded of the summer of 1996 when the movie Independence Day was released. The trailer was spectacular with giant shadows creeping over the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and White House that led to even bigger explosions as the White House and Capitol were destroyed. It was a big deal…