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Post by Jumpin' Jesse Walsh on Sept 21, 2019 22:07:40 GMT -5
My review of Dracula's Daughter (1936)
For a sequel that didn’t stand a chance in hell of outshining its predecessor, especially with the absence of Bela Lugosi, Dracula’s Daughter is arguably more fun than the Tod Browning original. The original film is bogged down by talky boardroom drama in its second half that feels a little too faithful to the stage play. Its successor bops right along from beginning to end. It definitely lacks the original’s creepiness, but the trade-off is a film that’s more consistent in tone and never wears itself out.
Also, impressively for a Hays Code production in the mid 1930s, it manages to be the first in what would become a well-exploited sub-genre: the lesbian vampire flick. I heard about its lesbian subtext long before I ever watched it and couldn’t believe a film of the time period would even go there. Having watched it now, I still can’t believe it. Certainly lengths were gone to downplay the subtext a bit, but it’s still glaringly obvious in a way I’m surprised censors back then allowed. The scene where Countess Zaleska seduces Lili literally feels like a gothic take on Carol.
Not that I’m complaining, of course. It makes for a more interesting film as result and rips the discourse on vampire lore wide open. A lot of this can attributed to Gloria Holden as the title character. She’s truly the star of the show. Vampires can be absolutely terrifying, but Holden shows they can also be tragic figures. You’d know something is up with Lugosi’s Dracula when you first meet him; Holden’s Zaleska is an amiable presence you wouldn’t mind inviting to your dinner party. There’s still all that bloodsucking business, but you almost want her to turn out okay in the end.
There is a surprising amount of humor in the film. It doesn’t always work and occasionally feels a little too forced. Otto Kruger and Marguerite Churchill essentially do a pale imitation of whichever power couple was rocking the romantic comedies at the time. Still, they’re a breath of fresh air compared to the original’s pairing of David Manners and Helen Chandler, which had about as much spice as a stale rice cake. In fact, the only holdover from the original is Edward Van Sloan, who is really only here just to be here.
Dracula’s Daughter was a modest hit back in the day, but it was quickly forgotten. That’s a shame, as it’s one of the most underrated films in the classic Universal oeuvre. Lugosi’s Dracula may carry the most influence, but his daughter is definitely the one you want to party with until sunrise.
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mystermystery
Dennis Stamp
Still in the White Hummer
Posts: 4,368
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Post by mystermystery on Sept 22, 2019 11:04:10 GMT -5
Hell House LLC 3: The Lake of Fire
Okay, so this series started with a rather simple idea. A crew of haunted house makers make a haunted house show at an abandoned hotel that happens to be actually haunted. Oh, and it's Found Footage. There are many good, creepy moments that plays with the crew slowly realizing their haunting tricks are going slightly further than they expected until the big opening night lets everything go crazy.
The second film is the aftermath of the first. An "editor" of the first film is on a talk show about the mysterious disappearances of his co-workers into the building and is then recruited by a debunking show to go back to the hotel. Oh, and they're joined by the absolute conglomeration of every single television psychic out to prove the haunting and speak with the dead to get his ratings up. Double oh, it's Found Footage. It goes poorly for all involved but loses some steam, especially with a reveal of a big bad who calls out someone named "Russell" whom is somehow having all the footage of the movie sent to. The movie is thus edited by the star of--
The third film. The finale of the trilogy that takes the interesting set-up of the beginning and somehow builds to a plot around the potential of hell being released on earth dooming the world.
That's some steps, y'all.
This film begins with a rich man who happens to be named Russell who is now going to run a show in the abandoned hotel and is super overpaying everyone to work there, and doubling the price when creepy stuff causes them to consider fleeing. Something is building, a priest is speaking about hell doors, a random documentarion (who was in the first film) is explaining about things in the past tense, a female protagonist who is explaining about "What happened that night" while intercutting her path to "that night"...and it's all a jumbled daggone mess that bummed me out.
The second film killed some time with some secret shorts meant to be exposition (people going to the abandoned hotel on YouTube dares, hitchhikers walking into the place confusing those who gave a ride, a guy who planned to burn the place down, etc) but this film's filler really feels like filler. Anyone with an ounce of attention can pick up the foreshadowing in a way that leaves you simply waiting for the big reveal that literally rushes so quickly that even the villain seems unsure that it's the finale.
There is a unique ending that ties in to the first in a rather fun way but it doesn't really do enough to make=up for what comes before it.
I'd give it a D. I'd give it a 4/10. I'd give it a jump scare out of a spooky mannequin. I wish I could recommend it, but the majority of the horror is essentially call backs to the best parts of the first film. Watch the first one.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,376
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Sept 23, 2019 18:06:39 GMT -5
Got 23 of my 31 films/whatevers picked out for October.
Trying to do a nice mixture of old classics and newer stuff. And obscure stuff. Plus thanks to my Gf got a few Disney "horror" films in the mix. One that is a musical. And it isn't the only musical on my list.
So have any of yall picked out your films for October yet?
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mystermystery
Dennis Stamp
Still in the White Hummer
Posts: 4,368
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Post by mystermystery on Sept 24, 2019 17:47:19 GMT -5
Got 23 of my 31 films/whatevers picked out for October. Trying to do a nice mixture of old classics and newer stuff. And obscure stuff. Plus thanks to my Gf got a few Disney "horror" films in the mix. One that is a musical. And it isn't the only musical on my list. So have any of yall picked out your films for October yet? After the passing of Sid Haig, I plan on watching Spider Baby at least once (and perhaps 3 From Hell). Halloween is a given. Probably the 2nd and 4th of that series as well. I'll go with some random SHUDDER selections. I'm currently holding up on TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID but may end up watching it before October. I'm big on random selections so I can catch new, hopefully surprising films.
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Post by KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!! on Sept 24, 2019 18:01:43 GMT -5
Got 23 of my 31 films/whatevers picked out for October. Trying to do a nice mixture of old classics and newer stuff. And obscure stuff. Plus thanks to my Gf got a few Disney "horror" films in the mix. One that is a musical. And it isn't the only musical on my list. So have any of yall picked out your films for October yet? Curious what the Disney selections you found are. Is Zombies one of them? Also, Spooky Buddies is one that could fit the mold.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,376
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Sept 24, 2019 18:55:23 GMT -5
Got 23 of my 31 films/whatevers picked out for October. Trying to do a nice mixture of old classics and newer stuff. And obscure stuff. Plus thanks to my Gf got a few Disney "horror" films in the mix. One that is a musical. And it isn't the only musical on my list. So have any of yall picked out your films for October yet? After the passing of Sid Haig, I plan on watching Spider Baby at least once (and perhaps 3 From Hell). Halloween is a given. Probably the 2nd and 4th of that series as well. I'll go with some random SHUDDER selections. I'm currently holding up on TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID but may end up watching it before October. I'm big on random selections so I can catch new, hopefully surprising films. If you haven't watched The Ranger on Shudder give it a watch. Nice throwback to 80s Slashers.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,376
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Sept 24, 2019 18:56:08 GMT -5
Got 23 of my 31 films/whatevers picked out for October. Trying to do a nice mixture of old classics and newer stuff. And obscure stuff. Plus thanks to my Gf got a few Disney "horror" films in the mix. One that is a musical. And it isn't the only musical on my list. So have any of yall picked out your films for October yet? Curious what the Disney selections you found are. Is Zombies one of them? Also, Spooky Buddies is one that could fit the mold. Zombies is one of them. Was forced to watch it earlier this year.
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Post by prettynami on Sept 24, 2019 21:33:46 GMT -5
I don't pick any movies in particular... Though there are a few I am eyeballing specifically. I generally just compile a big list (Its over 200 I believe at the moment) that I then randomize to choose from at any particular moment. Though if someone comes over I generally let them choose or pick the dreaded "keyword".
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Post by DSR on Sept 25, 2019 20:13:36 GMT -5
Tonight is episode 2 of AHS: 1984. I won't bore you guys with my live-posting nonsense like I tried last week. But I'm ready to see where this goes.
As for my October Horror-thon, I've pretty much curated my list of things. I'll do brief write-ups as I watch them through the month.
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Post by DSR on Sept 25, 2019 22:12:44 GMT -5
I felt like the use of Billy Idol's "White Wedding" during the wedding scene really deflated the tension of what was happening there. Like they were going for an ironic juxtaposition but it came across more like "we have to throw in an 80s reference, 80s 80s 80s!" and it took me out of the moment.
Margaret reasoning with Richard Ramirez and convincing him to go up against Mr. Jingles was neat. And the "ghost" of that 70s camp counselor was also interesting.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,376
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Sept 26, 2019 4:04:00 GMT -5
Watched Amsterdamned today on Shudder. Somehow over the years I have never seen it. Read about it in Fango. But never saw it for rent at any store. The premise is neat. And some of the gore pieces are good. But wow the dubbing is horrible. Like the little kid in House by the Cementary bad.
Also watched House by the Cementary,but had the sound off while talking to a friend.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,376
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Sept 27, 2019 21:54:06 GMT -5
Mill Creek has a neat thing going on. They started up a streaming service,Movie Spree,where you can redeem the digital copies of Mill Creek films. Well just got an email. For October each night they will have a free streaming horror movie.
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Post by DSR on Sept 27, 2019 22:33:57 GMT -5
I gave ATTACK OF THE MONSTERS 5/5 stars many many years ago, and I still stand by that rating. Not in a scary horror sorta way, but in a children's movie about aliens that wanna eat your brains kinda way. It's insane and awesome!
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,376
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Sept 27, 2019 23:07:12 GMT -5
I tried to watch Santa Jaws .... made it an hour in and turned it off.
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Post by DSR on Sept 27, 2019 23:08:00 GMT -5
I tried to watch Santa Jaws .... made it an hour in and turned it off. I read the title and groaned, so you're a braver man than I.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,376
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Sept 27, 2019 23:10:02 GMT -5
I tried to watch Santa Jaws .... made it an hour in and turned it off. I read the title and groaned, so you're a braver man than I. Was a bit trashed and had some friends over so wanted something brainless on the TV.
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Post by DSR on Sept 27, 2019 23:13:14 GMT -5
I read the title and groaned, so you're a braver man than I. Was a bit trashed and had some friends over so wanted something brainless on the TV. Last time I had a bad movie night with friends, we watched The Asylum's FLIGHT 666 (2018). Was hoping for fun bad, wound up with annoying bad.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,376
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Sept 28, 2019 3:05:54 GMT -5
Watching the first episode of the Creepshow tv show on Shudder.
First story is an adaptation of Stephen King's short story Gray Matter. Decent adaptation but from what I remember the ending is changed a bit. Second story is House of the Head. Based on a short story by the guy who wrote the book Bird Box. Decent so far. Pretty sure the lead young woman is the same actress that plays Judith on The Walking Dead.
Decent FX work so far. Looks like there will be 6 episodes this season with 2 stories per episode.
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Post by BrodietheSlayer on Sept 29, 2019 14:42:25 GMT -5
For those who were getting bummed by my horror poll recently covering the most current years of horror, I want to let you know that Round Two is finally beginning later tonight, and we will be going all the way back to the "beginning" (1919-1929). So, if you missed out the first time, head on over to the Games board around 230 AM Eastern time and vote.
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Post by KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!! on Sept 30, 2019 20:20:31 GMT -5
I capped tonight off by watching Andy Milligan’s The Ghastly Ones. Appropriately titled.
I love how in Miligan flicks he does these jarring transitions that are obviously just the cameraman haphazardly whirling the camera around.
Apparently Stephen King once described this as, “The work of morons with cameras” which even I think is a bit harsh.
Despite not being very good I’d still rate it above another Miligan gem I watched recently, The Body Beneath. The story of this one is a bit easier to follow and is less excessive in its use of unsexy sex.
Also, the ending of The Ghastly Ones is much better than The Body Beneath with a genuine attempt made at a twist. Whereas The Body Beneath closes with a long speech that sees the movie stop like a car running out of gas.
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