X the Unknown.

Review #837: X the Unknown.

Cast
Dean Jagger (Dr. Adam Royston), Leo McKern (Mac McGill), Edward Chapman (John Elliott), William Lucas (Peter Elliott), Peter Hammond (Lieutenant Bannerman), Anthony Newley (Lance Corporal "Spider" Webb), Ian MacNaughton (Haggis), Michael Ripper (Sergeant Harry Grimsdyke), Michael Brooke (Willie Harding), Frazer Hines (Ian Osborne), Norman Macowan (Old Tom), and John Harvey (Major Cartwright) Directed by Leslie Norman.

Review
This was a Hammer production that was distributed by Warner Brothers set in Scotland (filmed in England) released nearly 60 years ago in 1956, written by the same person behind The Curse of Frankenstein, Dracula (1958), The Revenge of Frankenstein, and The Pirates of Blood River (#593). It's evident that there was effort to make a competent science fiction flick, with a well rounded cast and some fine thrills presented about something lurking in a crack shaped like a Y. By the time the movie's half over, a theory (pretty much confirmed later on) on what the creature may be is presented that is competently delivered, for a sci-fi plot anyway. Radioactive muddy ooze is par for the course for the time period, though there isn't a sense of light-hearted tone to it nor the acting, which works well for its time. Jagger does a good job as a scientist, feeling believable enough. McKern and Chapman are also okay. The rest of the cast is serviceable enough for the plot, with no random side characters involved. The effects are pretty decent as well (what with it essentially being giant mud), and the stuff in the pit are also pretty well done. The ending is a bit weird, ending with some sort of ambiguity. On the whole, X the Unknown manages to flow well enough at 81 minutes that keeps itself in focus with a strange but useful premise. There are endless amount of science fiction films (British or not), but this might be right enough for someone looking for something decent of the genre.

On a unrelated note, my heart goes out those affected by the recent events in Italy, Turkey and Myanmar. I wish them the best of luck in recovering from these tragedies. 

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Doctor Dolittle.

Review #460: Doctor Dolittle.

Cast

Rex Harrison (Doctor John Dolittle), Samantha Eggar (Emma Fairfax), Anthony Newley (Matthew Mugg), Richard Attenborough (Albert Blossom), Peter Bull (General Bellowes), Muriel Landers (Mrs. Blossom), William Dix (Tommy Stubbins), Ginny Tyler (Polynesia) and Geoffrey Holder (William Shakespeare X) Directed by Richard Fleischer.

Review

Even though this is meant to be a horror based month, I decided to add this relic, due to it fulfilling the horror part...because it certainly is horror-ible. I'd mention the book that this was adapted from, but I have never, not once ever found Doctor Dolittle on a book shelf, so that renders my mention moot. The production troubles are certainly interesting, what with a bloated budget, combined with troubles with Harrison and other various such things. Unfortunately, the film itself isn't good. The actors are okay, but the main problem is the failed attempt at making a whimsical setting. Instead of being amazed at the effects (or not), I just kept hoping the actors weren't going to sing another song, since apparently there are 14 songs in the whole film. The film drags at nearly 2 and a half hours long, and combined with the boredom of the sets, makes for a sleep-binding experience. Then...there's the Giant Pink Sea Snail. My goodness, it looks bad, and combined with my irrational hatred of snails, makes for either a truly laughable showcase or...sleep. Honestly though, if I could talk to my birds, I'd ask why they chirp so much, but I guess Dolittle has better things to do, such as...singing. But I do wonder if that remake made (obviously) in the 90's is any better, but oh well. There are films that sound better to watch than this, like the next one coming up, a little film called Carnival of Souls. Tune in next time.

Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars. 

Movie Night: The Garbage Pail Kids Movie.

Review #442: The Garbage Pail Kids Movie.

Cast
Anthony Newley (Captain Manzini), Mackenzie Astin (Dodger), Katie Barberi (Tangerine), Ron MacLachlan (Juice), Jim Cummings (Greaser Greg), Debbie Lee Carrington (Valerie Vomit), Kevin Thompson (Ali Gator) Directed by Rod Amateau.

Review
I've decided to watch this film because of the film's 26th anniversary and because reviewing terrible films are not that common on here, so why not? Before I divulge, there is a fun fact to this film (shocking, I know) this director is also notable for directing episodes of Mister Ed, The Dukes of Hazzard, My Mother the Car, and Supertrain. Which of things sound weird to you? But oh well. I apologize in advance if the review is long, but with a film like this, rants are necessary.

I love the tagline for the film: Out of the garbage pail and into your heart! A live action heap of fun! Oh yeah, I was crying at one point of the film, when I got hiccups and it made me spout tears. So the film begins like most kids flicks...in space. With a trashcan flying...somewhere towards Earth, though I'd like to imagine they really landed on a parallel green and blue looking planet, called...Zerth. You may notice the bizarre names of these characters, like..."Juice, or "Dodger", or "Manzini", or "Tangerine", which sounds like something that 2nd graders would think of. Also, what did this kid do to be bulled by...teenagers who look like adults? He must've done something, he was constantly referred to as "creep", that or the "gang" really like calling people creeps. I'd mention the acting, but I'm told that laughing does not count as an opinion.

And then we see the titular characters, which were adapted from a series...of trading cards. Not a TV show, not a book, not a poem, not even an idea, but trading cards. I'd judge the "Pail Kids" on their looks and terrible puppetry and lipsynced voices, but judging the personalities...is less mean. Especially when they're so nice, stealing vehicles, destroying other vehicles...vomiting on people, and other such things. Their personalities might be worse than the effects. I love the technical errors in this film, like when Dodger (Is it his name, his nickname, or the name he used while being on Earth as a Time Lord?) asks a question to Tangerine while she drives (?) in daylight...and gets the answer at night or when the "Kids" go to see the Three Stooges in a theater (?)...and everybody at the theater..is laughing like hyenas. I know they are watching the Stooges, but is anything really funny enough to laugh really, really hard?  Strangely, the Garbage Pail Kids can make clothes...and sing.  They sing...while stealing clothes from a sweat shop. I can't think of any worse moment to have a song other than a funeral then this. The fashion of the film is terrible, inherently stuck in the 80s but in a bad way. One question that kept popping up all throughout the film is...where is Dodger's parents? Does he even have parents? This is a film that has inspires a lot of questions, such as: Who made a State Home for the Ugly? How do the Pail Kids know Manzini? Are the Kids aliens, and if so, where did they come from? How can Santa Claus, clowns and cavemen be in the House of the Ugly? Who names their bar "The toughest bar in the world"? Who thought this would be a good idea? Why are the designs of the Kids so horrendously bad? There are two good things about this film, though. It was a failure at the box office, and...the end credits. I wonder which film is worse, this or Birdemic. Don't watch this movie, not even for curiosity's sake.

Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10, 9, 8...

Overall, I give it 0 out of 10 stars.