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strangenstein's Replies
Their first five films are all top-notch funny. After that I’d recommend Who Done It?, Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein, The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap, The Time of Their Lives and In Society. All A&C films have laughs, but some scripts are better than others.
I think for the first few movies the producers weren’t sure if Bud and Lou could carry a movie by themselves. I think The Andrews Sisters had some great songs in Buck Privates, and they kept things light between the comedy sections.
If Loomis had just changed his tactics a bit and spent 15 years teaching Michael about his toxic masculinity, today we’d have an alive tow truck driver and three teens.
“ I don't get why people cling to this terrible attempt at humor. He wasn't being serious, he was just a dumb teenager making a stupid joke.”
This.
I don’t want to hijack your thread, but I wanted to add something regarding your comment about Halloween II. I think it’s a strong sequel that could’ve been even better if Carpenter hadn’t stepped in and insisted on filming new scenes and re-editing. The original is a perfect film and didn’t need a sequel, but H2 could’ve been a worthy ending.
I was highly anticipating Halloween 2018, but some comments by JLC before the movie gave me pause. She had a long diatribe comparing Laurie and the #metoo movement. Ugh. Next thing you know we’ll be hearing about Michael’s toxic masculinity and white privilege.
When this movie first aired in 1972, I was just shy of 7 years old. At that age I didn’t understand all the fine characterizations and plot points, I just knew there was a vampire on the loose. The scene that had me so terrified as a kid was Kolchak finding the woman tied to the bed. I’m not sure why that particular scene scared me so much. I think my almost-7-year-old brain understood it as she was trapped and a vampire was coming to bite her. It wasn’t until several years later I truly understood how really horrible that scene is. Skorzeny has an IV of blood hooked up to her to keep her alive so he can continue to bite her and drink her blood. Yikes!
That particular scene terrified me as a kid, but quite honestly the entire last act in the vampire’s house was beyond scary.
I think too many adults lose the magic of childhood. They get worn down by life, stress, and responsibilities. I like what the Bible says about putting away “childish” things, but continuing to maintain a “childlike” love and awe.
I agree. The movie took its time to create an uneasy atmosphere, but inappropriate music easily destroys that mood. It felt like a bank heist instead of a ghost story.
I agree to a point, although I think their perceived ineptitude could’ve been resolved if they’d regenerated an entire town. Imagine those creepy looking zombies closing in from all sides as they try to escape and destroy the tower. It would’ve created some amazing suspense.
7 out of 10 for me. It’s brisk, often suspenseful, and doesn’t overstay its welcome. A lesser director may not have fared so well, but in the capable hands of Terence Fisher it rises above its low-budget.
Excellent list! I’d add that this one also has real heart, and it’s respectful of Christmas. There’s a line about this being ‘the holiest night’, or something to that effect, that adds so much. I’ve always liked that.
I enjoy all the Rankin-Bass claymations, but this one will always be my favorite.
What exactly is “homophobia”? I’m straight and I don’t have a fear of homosexuals, nor do any straight men I know. I think the proper term should be “homo-abhorrent”. No straight man gets turned on by another man’s hairy backside. The thought of that is abhorrent.
Agreed 100%. To any man reading this: If you meet a woman like the one in this movie — TURN AROUND AND RUN.
“ I always thought Hugh and Richard would have made a wonderful pair of male lovers.”
G.R.O.S.S.
I agree, this is a well made movie. It knows exactly what it is, and it reeks with atmosphere.
This is a really well done movie, Christian or not. The script is good, and the acting from the main leads is solid. It’s ironic how as the movies in this series got better, the message became softer, yet it’s just as effective. Good writing will do that.
The Woman in Black remained evil. There is a short scene near the end where we hear her repeating, “I’ll never forgive”, or something to that effect. I think she meant to take Arthur’s child from him, not realizing he would try and save him. It simply turns out better for Arthur (if you can call you and your son being hit by a train “better”).
The OP is absolutely spot on. Enough with that nonsense. Work on building creeping dread! That is what scares an audience.
I wouldn’t call this version lame, but I agree the original 1989 version was better. The original is a slow burn ghost story. This version has a good setup, but all too often devolves into PG-13 jump scare shenanigans.