Movie Night: Halloween III: Season of the Witch.

Review #276: Halloween III: Season of the Witch.

Cast
Tom Atkins (Dr. Daniel Challis), Stacey Nelkin (Ellie Grimbridge), Dan O'Herlihy (Conal Cochran), Michael Currie (Rafferty), Ralph Strait (Buddy Kupfer), Jadeen Barbor (Betty Kupfer), Brad Schacter (Buddy Kupfer Jr), Garn Stephens (Marge Guttman), Al Berry (Harry Grimbridge), and Wendy Wessberg (Teddy) Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace.

Review
One year after Halloween II, a new Halloween film would be released, but it would be taken in an entirely different direction, with no Michael Myers with a different plot around Halloween (The first two films were basically a two-parter) In theory, this could work. With the original producers (John Carpenter and Debra Hill) and different writers (Tommy Lee Wallace (who also directed this) and Nigel Kneale) to handle it, this had some potential. What happens in the film is what probably the reason the franchise would never have a film with no Michael Myers after this. Why? Its flaw isn't because there isn't no Michael (Remember that the name was Halloween, not "The Michael Myers Franchise", unlike a certain franchise...), it is because it just isn't that engaging. The plot isn't very sensible. It involves killing kids on Halloween all at the same time with masks that somehow manages to involves robots. Yes, robots. My question in all this: Why? For a ritual? What purpose would it do? Also, what is the Witch in the title? The film has decent acting, with a good synthesiser score (Done by John Carpenter, who did the score (along with directing the first film) for the last two) It's a bit odd with the brief moments that show the first one, a film within a film. In the end, the film has some scares with decent acting, but it's plagued by an odd plot in a film doomed to be the so called step child of the franchise. I will give this some credit for at least trying not to repeat the same thing over and over again. Funny to review this on this particular date, as I reviewed the first one (#068) one year ago to this day, with the second being reviewed 200 reviews after the first. Is there a "spooky connection"? Uh...No. Happy (or not so really) 30 years to the film, and Happy Halloween everyone.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Friday the 13th (1980)

Review #275: Friday the 13th.

Cast
Betsy Palmer (Mrs. Voorhees), Adrienne King (Alice), Harry Crosby (Bill), Laurie Bartram (Brenda), Mark Nelson (Ned), Jeannine Taylor (Marcie), Robbi Morgan (Annie), Kevin Bacon (Jack), Peter Brouwer (Steve Christy), and Ari Lehman (Jason Voorhees) Directed by Sean S. Cunningham.

Review
You might be wondering "Why would you review this on a Monday and not on a Friday the 13th?" If I did, I'd have to wait until September 13, 2013 for the next Friday the 13th, and I'd rather get the first film out of the way to keep going with the past few days. So how is it? Uh...Eh. Just...Eh. To begin with, the film starts out with an opening sequence of a person eventually killing their first victims. Does that sound familiar? Maybe it's just me, but it really sounds like a cabin version of the opening sequence of Halloween. Then again, that sequence had much better suspense. And better music. It then goes with teenagers who set up to be ended off later, which...is eh? The film is kinda boring at some points, when it's just the teens playing around. But then there's the violence of it. In a way...it works. Why does it work here then in Halloween II? Because it didn't feel so forced (The blood was added to make Halloween II more "scary") It works in some shots (such as the knife through a certain breathing area) and not as much in others. While the acting is okay at best with a plot that is upwardly straightforward easy, it has some watchability with at least a few scares to make...an standardly okay film. Even if this would start a franchise. Fun to note this is my 275th Review.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: White Zombie.

Review #274: White Zombie.

Cast
Béla Lugosi ('Murder' Legendre), Madge Bellamy (Madeleine Short Parker), John Harron (Neil Parker), Robert Frazer (Charles Beaumont), Clarence Muse (The Coach driver), Joseph Cawthorn (Dr. Bruner), Brandon Hurst (Silver), George Burr Macannan (Von Gelder), Frederick Peters (Chauvin), and Annette Stone (Maid) Directed by Victor Halperin.

Review
It has been 80 years, but does it still hold up. In a way, yes, but in another...not so much. On the negative side (for once I do this first), the film's acting is not really good. With the exception of Lugosi, the actors aren't really inspired, not as good as Dracula (#071), it just feels dull. But then what is the main thing that saves it? Bela Lugosi and his eyes. The way he stares at the camera (or the person, whatever) is really gripping at you, almost as much as in Village of the Dmmned (#270) While it isn't as good as other horror films of its time, it did introduce one aspect that would live on to this day: Zombies. So there you go.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Cincinnati Kid.

Review #273: The Cincinnati Kid.

Cast
Steve McQueen (Eric "The Kid" Stoner), Edward G. Robinson (Lancey "The Man" Howard), Karl Malden (Shooter), Ann-Margret (Melba), Rip Torn (Slade), Tuesday Weld (Christian), Joan Blondell (Lady Fingers), Jack Weston (Pig), and Cab Calloway (Yeller) Directed by Norman Jewison (#127 - Rollerball)

Review
Based off the novel by Richard Jessup, the Cincinnati Kid is a good ol' flick. Interesting enough, this is my first film review with Steve McQueen and Edward G. Robinson (Karl Malden has already been reviewed here before: #109 - A Streetcar Named Desire and #110 - On the Waterfront) How are the main leads? They are, without a doubt, good. You feel for both of the characters, not really wanting either one to lose, though the supporting cast's portrayals of the others do help out make the film more defined. It makes poker a bit more interesting then usual in a film that fits in as a good classic.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)

Review #272: The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Cast
Peter Cushing (Sherlock Holmes), André Morell (John Watson), Christopher Lee (Henry Baskerville), Marla Landi (Cecile Stapleton), Ewen Solon (Stapleton), Francis de Wolff (Richard Mortimer), Miles Malleson (Frankland), John Le Mesurier (Barrymore), and David Oxley (Hugo Baskerville), Directed by Terrance Fisher (#257 - The Curse of Frankenstein and #258 - Dracula.)

Review
Once again I'm reviewing a Hammer film with who else but with Cushing, Lee, and Fisher all involved. And it is grand in its approach and it is also a lot of fun. This is adapted from the 1902 novel by Arthur Conan Doyle of the same name (Strangely enough, I've read the book. Me reading a book and then the film based upon that? Impossible!), and it has been adaped into film and television over 20 times since the first in 1914. Anyway, the acting is good here, with Cushing and Morell doing a really good job conveying the two they are meant to portraying, Holmes and Watson. Lee does a fine job here (He's moved from being Dracula to the Creature to a character who speaks a good deal of dialogue.) It does change from the novel (such as having a sacrifice, a tarantula and a mine shaft involved along with giving a certain thing a mask instead of phosphorus paint.) But I won't be angry for that. Why? Because the film still keeps to its roots of just being a detective mystery that is still a lot of fun, deviations and all.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: House of Wax.

Review #271: House of Wax.

Cast
Vincent Price (Henry Jarrod), Frank Lovejoy (Tom Brennan), Phyllis Kirk (Sue Allen), Paul Picerni (Scott Andrews), Carolyn Jones (Cathy Gray), Roy Roberts (Matthew Burke), Angela Clarke (Mrs. Andrews), Paul Cavanagh (Sidney Wallace), and Dabbs Greer (Jim Shane) Directed by André de Toth.

Review
House of Wax is actually a remake of the 1933 film, Mystery of the Wax Museum (And by sheer coincidence this would be remade again in 2005.) However, I haven't watched the original, which means I'll be a bit lenient on this film. How is this film that just so happened to be filmed in the biggest gimmick of the 50's (3-D? Oh course!) and nowadays? It's allright. Even though I'm watching it on a TV and not in 3-D (This was the second 3-D feature, the first being Bwana Devil.), it is still a treat to watch. The scene I find memorable is when a person is using a paddleball into the camera, to give an effect of 3-D (Ironic given the director of this film was blind in one eye) Vincent Price does a spendid performance (My second time reviewing him, first being #230 - The Great Mouse Detective.) The film is interesting at times, with Price the main star and the one with the most fun.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Village of the Damned (1960).

Review #270: Village of the Damned.

Cast
George Sanders (Gordon Zellaby), Barbara Shelley (Anthea Zellaby), Martin Stephens (David Zellaby), Michael Gwynn (Alan Bernard), Laurence Naismith (Doctor Willers), Richard Warner (Harrington), Jenny Laird (Mrs. Harrington), Sarah Long (Evelyn Harrington) Directed by Wolf Rilla.

Review
This film was based off the novel The Midwich Cuckoos, by John Wyndham in 1957 which has been adapted into two movies and radio adaptations, with this film being one such adaptation. So how is it? It is..creepily delectable. The acting is good, especially from Martin Stephens (one of the main children), who does a creepy, yet useful performance. The main leads do a stand-up job as well, but this is not the only thing that helps out, that would be the chiller aspects (It was chilly in my house while watching this) The eyes are the thing that gets me everytime they get shown, as are just the idea of children advancing rapidly in a small village. I wish the film could've been a bit longer so there could be some more scares (Barely lasts longer then Batman: Mask of the Phantasm), but oh well. In the end, this is an excellent film filled with scares and chills.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.

Review #269: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.

Cast
Kevin Conroy (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Dana Delany (Andrea Beaumont), Mark Hamill (The Joker), Hart Bochner (Arthur Reeves), Stacy Keach (Carl Beaumont and Voice of the Phantasm), Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. (Alfred Pennyworth), Abe Vigoda (Salvatore Valestra), Dick Miller (Charles "Chuckie" Sol), John P. Ryan (Buzz Bronski), Bob Hastings (Commissioner James Gordon), and Robert Costanzo (Harvey Bullock) Directed by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm.

Review
This was directed by the creators of Batman: The Animated Series, which was a very well acclaimed show in the 1990's that would get a movie, which is this. This was the third (or fourth if you count the 1966 Batman film) Batman film released, though it was different from the first two (though released one year after Batman Returns and two years before Batman Forever.) Anyway, the film has a lot going for it, with a beautiful opening sequence showing Gotham City. The plot is alright, but I find that it is a bit hampered by the flashbacks in the beginning that while it gives important info for the rest of the film, it feels like a distraction. But the animation is good, with the animation of the show a bit improved to make it more like a film. The middle to the end get interesting as the Joker comes in. And he is...really good. Out of the 4 actors that have played him, he might just tie Nicholson and Ledger's performances for best Joker (although Romero isn't a bad Joker by any means) The rest of the actors including Conroy, are good. I wish the film could had been longer, as the run time is only 76 minutes. In the end, it's a good film that while not better then Batman or The Dark Knight, certainly beats the two films that followed this (Batman Forever and Batman & Robin) by a long shot.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Halloween II.

Review #268: Halloween II.

Cast
Jamie Lee Curtis (Laurie Strode), Donald Pleasence (Dr. Sam Loomis), Lance Guest (Jimmy Lloyd), Tawny Moyer (Jill Franco), Ana Alicia (Janet Marshall), Ford Rainey (Frederick Mixter), Gloria Gifford (Virginia Alves), Leo Rossi (Budd Scarlotti), Hunter von Leer (Gary Hunt), Cliff Emmich (Berand Garrett), Nancy Stephens (Marion Chambers), Charles Cyphers (Leigh Brackett), and Dick Warlock (The Shape) Directed by Rick Rosenthal.

Review
It is near the time of Halloween (six days in fact. Ooh, the number 6 is spooky? Not really), so I'm reviewing a film called...Hallowen. Wait, I already did that (#68. The original, not the remake thank goodness.) This is the sequel to that film, continuing the events of the first film. In fact, I'll continue from the last line of that review: "It does the scares slowly but steady, building up to a conclusion that mystifies you." Indeed those words stand up 200 reviews later. Woah. It's been 200 reviews since I reviewed the last one. That's probably the largest gap between reviewing a sequel I've done, which astounds me. I'm getting off track here the question here is this sequel as good as the first? Yes...and no. Pleasence and Curtis do a good job while the supporting cast' acting is relatively decent. It has some good moments at times, but it has one flaw that doesn't make it as good as the first: Its violence. You might think that's a bit odd, given the film, but it feels a bit too excessive for my taste, where as the first film did a better job of conveying it (Examples are when Michael slashes some throats in close up, dunks a person's head in hot water or even when he uses a needle to stab someone.) While the film continues the cliffhanger from the first film with some class, it doesn't rise up to the occasion as the first did. It does have a great way of ending the film and it could have ended the story perfectly. Could have being the main word here.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Casper.

Review #267: Casper.

Cast
Bill Pullman (Dr. James Harvey), Christina Ricci (Kathleen "Kat" Harvey), Malachi Pearson (Casper), Cathy Moriarty (Carrigan Crittenden), Eric Idle (Dibs), Joe Nipote (Stretch), Joe Alaskey (Stinkie), Brad Garrett (Fatso) and Ben Stein. Directed by Brad Silberling.

Review
What could go wrong with a film based on an animated cartoon series is my first question. How is the film is the next question. The answers will all be revealed (Hate when they say that) It has been a while since I've seen something of Pullman and Ricci (#193 -Independence Day. #77 - The Addams Family and #78 - Addams Family Values, respectivly.), and they do a fine job, given the material. It's a bit odd and off at times, some of the jokes don't stick as well (Though I kinda liked one line: "Who are you gonna call? Someone else.", by Dan Aykroyd of all people) The scenery and effects look pretty decent, unless you realize the actors sometimes talk to nothing (a common thing with CGI) It's slightly hokey at odd times, its acting from the other actors (Moriarty in particular) isn't exactly great or isn't used well enough (Idle), but the film still has a good charm to it and Pearson is actually good (My odd belief of child actors not being great is trading waters) It has a good Halloween feel to it, ghosts and all.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Robot Monster.

Review #266: Robot Monster.

Cast
George Nader (Roy), Claudia Barrett (Alice), Selena Royle (Mother), John Mylong (Professor), Gregory Moffett (Johnny), Pamela Paulson (Carla), George Barrows (Ro-Man), and John Brown (Voice of Ro-Man) Directed by Phil Tucker.

Review
Oh, boy, here we are, Robot Monster. The title isn't much, a robot who is...a monster, I suppose. Made from a budget of $16,000, this film was orignally made in 3-D (Ah 3-D, why do you live on...) The makers of the film didn't have money to make a costume, so they used a gorilla suit with a diving helmet instead. And it's...pretty funny, actually. This could actually be a comedy if you redubbed the lines because of the robot- I'm sorry "Ro-Man" as he is called. The film actually made a profit in its time (People apparently love to watch aliens invading a whole lot) If this was a mirror to Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, this would repersent the laughable opposite of it with decent acting, odd props, and a laughable, yet kind of smileworthy alien. In the end, the film is ridiculous in some points and unintentionally funny in the rest. You'll get more chills of laughter than actually scares, but oh well.

Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Earth vs. the Flying Saucers.

Review #265: Earth vs. the Flying Saucers.

Cast
Hugh Marlowe (Russell A. Marvin), Joan Taylor (Carol Marvin), Donald Curtis (Major Huglin), Morris Ankrum (John Hanley), John Zaremba (Professor Kanter), and Paul Frees (Voice of the Aliens) Directed by Fred F. Sears (#255 - The Giant Claw)

Review
This film is noted for its special effects done by Ray Harryhausen, who I have covered before in Clash of the Titans (#064) and Jason and the Argonauts (#111). And like those films, the effects here are excellent. The flying saucer design made by Harryhausen works so well because they move in a way not seen before. This film is compared to another saucer-ish film reviewed here, Independence Day (#193. Then again any movie that involves invaders with saucers coming from an alien planet to Earth could be a comparison.) But the film is different and better than the other because it uses its premise to make a better than expected film combined with excellent effects once again by Harryhausen. Truly a good "B-movie"

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Mr. Bug Goes to Town.

Review #264: Mr. Bug Goes to Town.

Cast
Stan Freed (Hoppity), Pauline Loth (Honey), Tedd Pierce (C. Bagley Beetle), Jack Mercer (Mr. Bumble / Swat), Kenny Gardner (Dick), Gwen Williams (Mary), and Carl Meyer (Smack) Directed by Dave Fleischer.

Review
Mr. Bug Goes to Town would be the second and last film made by Fleischer Studios, in late 1941. Oddly enough this was an original story, not based off a tale (Though there were plans for it to be) In the end, the film...works. It's an odd story filled with weird characters and frantic animation. And I love it. Ths film has some good moments, particularly the chase scenes and the dancing sequencr, which showcase some good animation and a bit of comedy. The story works, even if again it is a bit odd (It's less odd in Antz actually) You might wondering if I gave this some praise, why did Fleischer Studios only make two animated features. The short answer is really, really bad luck. See, it was released on December 5, 1941, two days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, which lead to financial disaster, leading to the ousting of the Fleischers and the end of the studio and some classics as we know it. It may have oddities, but it is an improvement from Gulliver's Travels, being a hidden gem.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Gulliver's Travels.

Review #263: Gulliver's Travels.

Cast
Sam Parker (Gulliver), Pinto Colvig (Gabby), Jack Mercer (King Little, Sneak, Snoop, and Snitch), Tedd Pierce (King Bombo), Jessica Dragonette (Princess Glory), and Lanny Ross (Prince David) Directed by Dave Fleischer.

Review
Gulliver's Travels is based off the tale of the same name by Jonathan Swift, which has been adapted into film a few times, this being one of them. It might interest you to know this was the first made by a company other than Disney and only the second cel-animated feature film ever released (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs being first) This was made by Fleischer Studios (Created by Dave and Max Fleischer), who also did the 1940s Superman shorts and Popeye. So how it after over 70 years? It's...Not bad. It definitely is different then Disney in the range of animation (This uses rotoscoping for Gulliver, rotoscoping being live action footage being traced frame by frame.) It doesn't run very long, but it does boast enough usefulness to keep relevance throughout. This was a big success for Fleischer Studios, and they would make another animated film film two years later in 1941...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Corpse Bride.

Review #262: Corpse Bride.

Cast
Johnny Depp (Victor Van Dort), Helena Bonham Carter (Emily), Emily Watson (Victoria Everglot), Tracey Ullman (Nell Van Dort/Hildegarde), Paul Whitehouse (William Van Dort/Mayhew), Joanna Lumley (Maudeline Everglot), Albert Finney (Lord Finis Everglot), Richard E. Grant (Lord Barkis Bittern), Christopher Lee (Gallswells) and Michael Gough (Elder Gutknecht) Directed by Tim Burton (#40 - Batman, #107 - Beetlejuice, #132 - Alice in Wonderland, and #196 - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Mike Johnson.

Review
Once again I'm reviewing a Tim Burton film, and it is filled with familiar faces (This is the 3rd review with Johnny Depp, the 8th with Helena Bonham Carter, and the 7th with Christopher Lee.) So how is this film? It's...Good. Not great, but good. The animation is stellar, and it does have a well developed story. The acting is stellar, Depp and Carter do a fine a job along with the rest of the supporting cast (One standout being Richard E. Grant portraying an excellent villain) It has some good moments combined with good animation and acting to make a good film. A good success in all in all. The month is nearly over, but October is still going well.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

Review #261: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

Cast
Werner Krauss (Dr. Caligari), Conrad Veidt (Cesare), Friedrich Fehér (Francis), Lil Dagover (Jane Olsen), Hans Heinrich von Twardowski (Alan), and Rudolf Lettinger (Dr. Olsen) Directed by Robert Wiene.

Review
This is the second German film reviewed here, and it figures to have be a silent film from a while back. A really long while back from 1920. Like Nosferatu, this is a silent film. How is it then? Good. Its jagged buildings combined with a creative expression filled story give a chilling feel to the film. The actors convey a good amount of movement, which is required in a way to keep a movie going. The film also delivers what is considered to be the first twist enging in film history, and...it works. It really does. In the end, it's a greatfully designed film with good chills to make a great film.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Wolf Man (1941).

Review #260: The Wolf Man.

Cast
Lon Chaney, Jr (Larry Talbot/The Wolf Man), Claude Rains (John Talbot), Warren William (Dr. Lloyd), Ralph Bellamy (Colonel Montford), Patric Knowles (Frank Andrews), Béla Lugosi (Bela), and Maria Ouspenskaya (Maleva) Directed by George Waggner.

Review
The Wolf Man was only the second film released by Universal Pictures (Dracula, Frankenstein & The Invisible Man - #069, #071 & #072) involving werewolves, the first being Werewolf in London back in 1935. This is my first foray with Lon Chaney, Jr (Who I have heard about before as was his father before him), and he does a good job, as does Claude Rains (who is very familiar: The Invisible Man, #102 - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and #125 - Casablanca). The film has good moments, mostly in the last act with the makeup. It starts off slowly, but eventually gets better. It's a flick not as good as Dracula or Frankenstein, but it come close. By sheer coincidence, today just happens to be Béla Lugosi's birthday (who also is in this film).

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: This is Cinerama.

Review #259: This is Cinerama.

Cast
Lowell Thomas. Directed by Merian C. Cooper.

Review
Cinerama simultaneously projected images from three synchronized 35 mm projectors onto a huge, deeply-curved screen, with this being the first Cinerama film (Other being How the West Was Won) How did I see this? On a special presentation by TCM will a reconstruction to the nearest degree in Smilevision to make it feel like Cinerama. How is it? It's decent. It shows some real good shots and real nice things (The only credited person for the film is Lowell Thomas, who is seen in the first few minutes.) It's a film that was revolutionary for its time that influenced widescreen as we know today.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Dracula (1958)

Review #258: Dracula.

Cast
Peter Cushing (Doctor Van Helsing), Christopher Lee (Count Dracula), Michael Gough (Arthur Holmwood), Melissa Stribling (Mina Holmwood), Carol Marsh (Lucy Holmwood), John Van Eyssen (Jonathan Harker), Janina Faye (Tania), Charles Lloyd-Pack (Doctor Seward), George Merritt (Policeman), and George Woodbridge (Landlord) Directed by Terence Fisher (#257 - The Curse of Frankenstein)

Review
One year later after The Curse of Frankenstein's big success, there would an adaptation of the classic novel Dracula, by Bram Stoker. Cushing and Lee are once again here, and they click here as well. Actually, the whole film works. The scenery looks good, some nice shots in the castle, giving a bit of mood. I don't want to forget Michael Gough and his good performance as well. The film is good, having some chilling moments and in glorious Technicolor. Lastly, the end scene is very climatic, with some really good effects used. In the end, this film works, just like The Curse of Frankenstein, but in an entirely different, but a good way. It's fitting to review both a Frankenstein and a Dracula film, having done this once before (#071 - Dracula and #072 - Frankenstein)

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Curse of Frankenstein.

Review #257: The Curse of Frankenstein.

Cast
Peter Cushing (Baron Victor von Frankenstein), Christopher Lee (The Creature), Hazel Court (Elizabeth), Robert Urquhart (Dr. Paul Krempe), Valerie Gaunt (Justine), and Noel Hood (Aunt Sophia) Directed by Terence Fisher.

Review
Ah, Hammer. The company in 1934, with small films released before garnering its biggest fame in 1957 with the release of this film, the first of many horror films distributed and made by Hammer. And does the film deserve all the honor and prais after 55 years? Yes. The acting is good, with Cushing stealing the show (This is oly my second review involving him, the other being #113 - Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) The effects are good, considering they had to make it not resemble Jack Pierce's famous makeup back in 1931. Speaking of that, Lee does a decent job, given he mostly stands around, lurking. It's an interesting tale that would spawn many sequels and open the door for more horror films from Hammer. Speaking of that, there is a film to link this up to...

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Nosferatu.

Review #256: Nosferatu. Cast Max Schreck (Count Orlok), Gustav von Wangenheim (Thomas Hutter), Greta Schröder (Ellen Hutter), Alexander Granach (Knock), Georg H. Schnell (Harding), Ruth Landshoff (Ruth), and John Gottowt (Professor Bulwer) Directed by F. W. Murnau. Review To begin with, this is the first silent film ever reviewed here (along with the first 1920s film reviewed), and it is the first film from Germany reviewed here (while being the 5th world cinema film). And after 90 years, this film still works in frights of delight. Originally this was an adaptation of Dracula until the Stoker estate sued for the right reason of the film company not actually having the film rights to do Dracula. But nonetheless, the film is still useful. Schreck is genuinely terrifying due to the effects, which give it a weird style that works in its own right. As a silent film, it works on its own merit. All in all, a good, if not great film. Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Giant Claw.

Review #255: The Giant Claw.

Cast
Jeff Morrow (Mitch MacAfee), Mara Corday (Sally Caldwell), Morris Ankrum (Lieutenant General Edward Considine), Lou Merrill (Pierre Broussard), Edgar Barrier (Dr. Karol Noymann), and Robert Shayne (General Van Buskirk) Directed by Fred F. Sears.

Review
Whoo, I get to review a 50's film with a "giant claw" and in a limited length of 75 minutes. So how is it? My feelings after the movie? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...To begin with, the film starts out decently, until the giant claw appears, looking...pretty silly. With a mohawk for feathers and a constant yelp, the claw actually rivals another film reviewed here with birds for silliest one ever. Which one? Birdemic: Shock and Terror (#184) Okay, maybe not that silly. The film slowly develops towards its predictable end with "meh" dialogue. How did I hear of this film? I saw a video made by James Rolfe (of Cinemassacre fame) on Monster Madness, which talked about this film. So I decided to watch the film to see all of its madness. And there we go. Although this film did inspire me to think of a new story idea: Gojira vs. The Giant Claw... On second thought, maybe not.

Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Antz.

Review #254: Antz.

Cast
Woody Allen (Z), Sharon Stone (Princess Bala), Gene Hackman (Mandible), Sylvester Stallone (Weaver), Jennifer Lopez (Azteca), Christopher Walken (Cutter), and Anne Bancroft (Queen) Directed by Eric Darnell (#154 - Madagascar 2 and #165 - Madagascar) and Tim Johnson.

Review
You might be (or not) thinking that this is a rip off of A Bug's Life. Is it? Well...No. Pretty much the opposite. The film is more risque (in some respects) than Bug's Life, some of it being funny, some not as much. The animation is decent for 1998 standards. This was the first DreamWorks Animation film, released before The Prince of Egypt. The acting is reasonable good, even from Woody Allen (Who I seem to not like for some certain reason) The film is a typical length of 83 minutes, which is reasonable. In the end, the film has some good moments in DreamWorks Animation's first foray into film.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Unstoppable.

Review #253: Unstoppable.

Cast
Denzel Washington (Frank Barnes), Chris Pine (Will Colson), Rosario Dawson (Connie Hooper), Lew Temple (Ned Oldham), Ethan Suplee (Dewey), Kevin Dunn (Oscar Galvin), and Kevin Corrigan (Scott Werner) Directed by Tony Scott (Top Gun - #029)

Review
Personally, a runaway train is moderately frightening for me. Trains aren't used as much as they were back then when people had to use the train. What does this statement have to do with this review? I'll tell you later. It's been a long while since I've reviewed something of Tony Scott (Brother of Ridley Scott), who directed films from his first in 1983 to his last in 2010. Scott manages to keep the story interesting enough to keep watching, and...the runaway train is actually a bit frightening, with a decent climax. The acting is alright, Washington (last Review of him: Glory - #101) and Pine (last: Star Trek - #009) do a respectable job together, as does the rest of the cast. It should be a note that this was Scott's last film that he directed (I would've mentioned this earlier, but I wanted to make sure that part would be padded to the end), and it is a good way to go out.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Quiz Show.

Review #252: Quiz Show.

Cast
John Turturro (Herb Stempel), Rob Morrow (Richard Goodwin), Ralph Fiennes (Charles Van Doren), Paul Scofield (Mark Van Doren), David Paymer (Dan Elright), Hank Azaria (Albert Freedman), and Christopher McDonald (Jack Barry) Directed by Robert Redford.

Review
This film is based upon the Twenty One quiz show scandal of the 1950's, where the contestants were assisted with the questions by the producers. In short words, cheating. The subject of the film needs a good director and acting to work well. Does it? Yes. The acting works very well, with Turturro, Morrow, and Fiennes being the main standouts. All three portray characters that work in different ways. The film is nailgripping in its drama, being very well delivered, all thanks to the direction by Robert Redford. While it may not be all entirely accurate (This is a rule I should call "The Movieilization Rule"), the film still works out well, giving a good sense of drama and entertainment.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Jetsons: The Movie.

Review #251: Jetsons: The Movie.

Cast
George O'Hanlon (George Jetson), Penny Singleton (Jane Jetson), Tiffany (Judy Jetson), Patric Zimmerman (Elroy Jetson), Don Messick (Astro the Dog), Jean Vander Pyl (Rosie the Robot), and Mel Blanc (Mr. Cosmo Spacely) Directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.

Review
To begin with, I have not ever watched The Jetsons (Which apparently was a television show from 1962) And if I really judged the show and its characters by this movie, it wouldn't be a good statement. I swear I think George is incredibly lazy (Almost as much as Homer Simpson) The rest of the cast isn't really that better. One good though is the animation. It boasts some top notch CGI in some scenes with decent drawn animation. But of course the main thing that gets me is its plot. It tries to be more in touch with the year it is (1990), and yet it still feels like the year it once was (1962) I will give praise for Mel Blanc, who does an alright job, given that this was his last film role (Mel Blanc had voiced many characters, his most famous being Bugs Bunny for over 50 years) All in all, the film falters in some areas, yet it rises a bit in other areas. And yet I'm still wondering, why did they make this film? Was it out of random or to foreshadow Tom and Jerry and The Flintstones? I don't know. But who wants to know?

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.