30 THEATRICAL TERRORS: Night of the Creeps (Day 9)

Written and directed by Fred Dekker (The Monster Squad), Night of the Creeps pays homage to the B Movie of the 50s by becoming one. Including every genre cliche he could think of, he even wanted to shoot it in black and white.

An alien experiment crashes to Earth and takes over the mind of a teenager in 1959.

In 1986, college student Chris Romero pledges a frat to impress a girl that he likes. He is tasked with stealing a corpse from the college’s medical center. And, of course, the body they take is the one from the alien controlled teen from the 50s. Thawing him out, it figures, was a bad idea. The pledge freaks out and abandons the body, which, zombielike, begins a killing spree and reproduces the alien slugs, which each go out seeking a host.

This is when the haunted detective is called in—Ray Cameron is called upon to bring sanity back to the situation.

A fine tribute to the paranoia-inducing films of the 50s and a fresh and funny take on the alien invasion picture at the same time pulling off elements of romatic comedy with ease.

And, as an added bonus, most post-theatrical versions of the film have an extended/alternate ending that hints at a possible sequel. More proof it’s high-quality light viewing for the fan of classic sci-fi/horror.

Thrill me…

MONSTER-MONTH: COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN (Day 4)

The fourth day of our Monster countdown brings us to 1987 and THE MONSTER SQUAD.  This is the kind of potential monster mash-up that gives horror geeks the chills!

(Click to Frankensize)

THE MONSTER SQUAD is a 1987 comedy/horror film written by Shane Black and Fred Dekker, who also directed.  Dekker is known for his film NIGHT OF THE CREEPS which pays homage to the B grade sci-fi/horror films of the 50s and 60s.

(Click to Frankensize)

This is the Tri-Star Pictures take on the classic Universal Pictures monsters as reimagined by Stan Winston and other special effects artists.  In short, it’s THE GOONIES meets FRIGHT NIGHT.

Here’s an insightful and brief interview with Fred Dekker which is about the mythology of the film, a comparison to the modern monsters and a hint a what a Monster Squad reunion could be about (hint: he’s big in Japan):

http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/10/monster-squad-monday-director-fred-dekker?page=1

(Click to Frankensize)

The Frankesntein Monster in this feature is played quietly by excellent character actor Tom Noonan, known for playing such interesting fellows as the serial killer Francis Dolarhyde from MANHUNTER,  Mr. Ulman in HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, a superb horror film that mirrors classics like ROSEMARY’S BABY, and the tragically flawed Reverend Nathaniel Cole in the AMC series HELL ON WHEELS.

(Click to Frankensize)

His monster follows closely the path set by Karloff.  While visually similar, this Monster has no flat-top head, no neck bolts or furrowed brow, but the green tinged skin, jacket and scars are all there.  Slow, quiet, monosylabic and strong and with a penchant for befriending little girls.  He’s not a planner.  He’s not much for charisma but he’s got a gleam in his eye.  In a movie where the monsters are up to no good via the leadership of Dracula, this Frankenstein Monster’s vote is undecided.

(Click to Frankensize)

Dont’ be chickenshit, check out THE MONSTER SQUAD for a light scare that may take you back to your childhood or, at the very least, remind you of your love for the Universal Monsters.

(Click to Frankensize)

FIVE FRANKENSTEIN FUN FACTS

1. Tom Noonan played Francis Dolarhyde in MANHUNTER just one year before his role as Frankenstein’s Monster in THE MONSTER SQUAD.
2. Liam Neeson nearly captured the role of Count Dracula in THE MONSTER SQUAD.
3. The original opening sequence for THE MONSTER SQUAD would’ve involved Van Helsing storming Count Dracula’s castle with hundreds of men on horseback and in zeppelins!  Unfortnately, it was cut for budgetary reasons.
4. Co-writer Shane Black went on to write LETHAL WEAPON, THE LAST BOYSCOUT and KISS KISS, BANG BANG.
5. A fictional movie entitled “Groundhog Day” is viewed in THE MONSTER SQUAD--a holiday-themed slasher flick which parodys such films as MY BLOODY VALENTINE, BLACK CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR’S EVIL, APRIL FOOL’S DAY and, duh, HALLOWEEN.

Lookie here:

Den of Geek

JuntaJuleil

Now I’m putting this post to web here on Wednesday night/Thursday morning, but I want you to know about these Friday morning finds on Turner Classic Movies in time to set VCRs, DVRs, Tivos and the like to record these films OR to call in sick to work so that you can check them out in person.

On TCM on Friday, October 5, 2012

9am - THE REPTILE (1966)

  

10:30am - THE CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE (1944)

11:45am - THE FOUR SKULLS OF JONATHAN DRAKE (1959)

1:15pm - I MARRIED A WITCH (1942)

2:45pm - CURSE OF THE DEMON (1958)

4:30pm - THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY’S TOMB (1964)

6pm - SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER (1977)

2:30am - ROAD GAMES (1981)

4:15am - HOT RODS TO HELL (1967)

AND DON'T FORGET...