We’ve already looked at both Planet Terror, and Death Proof, but I don’t think I’m done with this Grindhouse project yet. There were numerous other parts of the whole film, as fake trailers were put into the original US theatrical release, as well as later home versions of Grindhouse.
I’ve already written a review for Robert Rodriguez’s Grindhouse Feature called ‘Planet Terror’. While he was interested in creating a schlock horror zombie film, his Grindhouse partner Quintin Tarantino opted for an underground thriller involving a required knowledge of 70s music. Death Proof has a killer idea, as well as a distinctive director behind it, but can it follow through on it’s promise of a crazy stuntman chasing his next victim?
Remember way back when Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez tried to create an all new franchise, which would introduce all new Grindhouse schlock-fests to the world? That didn’t happen, because people weren’t interested in watching 3 hour long films dedicated to blood and gore. The film double-bill ‘Grindhouse’ wasn’t exactly bad, but it was the first big flop for both directors. It was so bad, that when the film was released in the UK, it was turned into two extended, separate films. I’ll have a look at them both, although I’ll be referencing both the original ‘Grindhouse’ versions and the extended ‘theatrical’ versions.
Let’s start with Planet Terror, which is Robert Rodriguez’s contribution to Grindhouse. I’ve always admired Rodriguez as a director, and remember watching both Spy Kids as a kid and the Mariachi trilogy later on. He’s a director that has a distinct style and tone, and they both apply to his family films or his more adult fare. Of course, by adult, I mean films like Sin City and From Dusk Till Dawn, which were designed for fourteen year old kids who want to prove how grown up they are by watching films with tits and gore. Grindhouse was designed as a tribute to all the old 70s schlock exploitation films possible, with Planet Terror being a bloody zombie extravaganza. Let’s hope this film can get us off to a good start in this special instalment of Spooky Scary Cinema!
There’s a lot about film-making and film-budgeting you could learn from the master of cheap, enjoyable schlock, Roger Corman. The man is one of the premier figures in Hollywood, and was able to kick-start the careers of numerous actors, writers, directors and such. However, his large array of films from the 50s and 60s were monster movies, with a focus on cheaply made action and suspense. With ‘The Little Ship of Horrors’, we have a curious diversion into the world of comedy-horror, with the creature being a plant with a blood-lust. Most people are probably familiar with the 1986 Musical film, but is it worth seeking out this original version of the story?
I remember Evil Dead 2 being one of the most perfect horror films ever made, so there’s not much point reviewing it without just gushing for about seven paragraphs. I may do that later, but just assume I’m giving that a 5/5. This means that it’s going to be interesting for me to re-watch Army of Darkness, which may be a sequel to the Evil Dead films, but couldn’t be more different. For starters, it’s much more in tune with the fantasy genre, as well as a lot more broadly comic. And yet, there are deadites, skeletons, and evil clones running around everywhere. It’s not quite a horror film, as there are very few creepy moments, but I figure now’s about as good a time as any to talk about it. Let’s see how crazy Sam Raimi can get!
And yes, I had to use the Japanese Poster. Of course I did.
If I’m going to look at films that are Spooky and Scary, I better include the Creepiest, Kookiest family around! I enjoyed watching the Addam’s Family cartoon, and watched both the live-action films as a kid. It was a joyfully macabre concept, whether it was through the original sitcom, the cartoon or the numerous other incarnations. When it was brought to film, I assume the idea was for it to be a hit akin to the Beverly Hillbillies film, or the later released Flintstones film. Let’s see if this show can work in a feature length context!
Critics, by nature, are a cowardly and superstitious lot. They get to watch all the films in the world, then go on about how crappy they are. As such, it’s easy to make them out to be terrible shut-ins without a life beyond criticising stuff designed to entertain people. That’s what ‘Theatre of Blood’ is concerned with, as Vincent Price gives one of his all-time great performances as a disgruntled thespian. He’s one of the most well known and celebrated actors in Hollywood history, with his ability to appeal to both the young and old, whether through Michael Jackson’s Thriller or The Abominable Mr. Philes. How does this classic film hold up after all these years?
Next up on Spooky Scary Cinema is the latest film from the masters of schlock, the infamous Troma Entertainment! ‘Return to Nuke ‘Em High Vol. 1’ is the first in a proposed two-part rebirth of the classic Troma style and franchise. This is a sequel of sorts to the classic ‘Class of Nuke ‘Em High’, although the main point is that the film is still set in the fictional Tromaville, New Jersey. It’s been updated for the modern times, complete with all the latest advances in special effects and social satire. Can this big return hearken back to the glory days of Troma?
Welcome, one and all, to ‘Spooky Scary Cinema’! A month long celebration of all things creepy and kooky, as well as whatever goes bump in the night! We’re going to start off with some modern schlock, but there’s going to be a decent variety of stuff every day! That’s right, instead of an occasional wet fart of an update every now and then on this site, there’s going to be a new review every day throughout October!
Now, who wants to watch a good ol’ fashioned monster movie? I remember this being one of the first films I ever snuck into the cinema to watch, and boy was it a good one to start with. My friends left the cinema either sick to their stomachs, or bewildered at what they saw. However, I spent the whole film in awe of all the blood/guts, the dedication to a well paced and written story, as well as the film pretty much being my introduction to schlock film-making at its finest. Does this film hold up as well as I remember?
I left college recently, and I don’t think I was the king of the party at any time. I got drunk, go to more bars, get injured somehow, then go to classes and get a degree. However, there’s always a small part of me that wonders whether the Hollywood interpretation of College is that far off, with ‘National Lampoon’s Animal House’ being the pinnacle of frat house comedies. And so, we move to Bad Neighbours (Just titled Neighbors in the US, I guess we Brits needed help knowing that they were Bad or something). This is comedy based around two sides against each other, and the competing parties are Seth Rogen and Rose Bryne as new parents, and Zac Efron as the president of a Fraternity. That’s the only plot we need, as the film is based entirely on this confrontation, so how’s the movie in general?
Adam Likes To Watch 