Silver Bullet.

Review #2451: Silver Bullet.

Cast: 

Gary Busey (Uncle Red), Everett McGill (Reverend Lester Lowe), Corey Haim (Marty Coslaw), Megan Follows (Jane Coslaw), Terry O'Quinn (Sheriff Joe Haller), Bill Smitrovich (Andy Fairton), Robin Groves (Nan Coslaw), Leon Russom (Bob Coslaw), Lawrence Tierney (Owen Knopfler), Kent Broadhurst (Herb Kincaid), Heather Simmons (Tammy Sturmfuller), James A. Baffico (Milt Sturmfuller), James Gammon (Arnie Westrum), and Tovah Feldshuh (Narrator) Directed by Dan Attias.

Review:

It does seem prudent to cover a movie based on a Stephen King work for the holiday season. The movie is based on the horror novella Cycle of the Werewolf, which had been published in 1983 because the original intent of doing a calendar (as illustrated by Bernie Wrightston) with vignettes by King just didn't seem feasible. Making a movie apparently was a quick decision for none other than Dino De Laurentiis for Paramount distribution that was filmed in North Carolina over the span of a few months in late 1984; this was the second of two screenplays King wrote for adaptations of his work that were released in 1985, with Cat's Eye being the other one. Apparently, the design of the werewolf was contentious in production between King, who wanted it to be plain for Carlo Rambaldi (known for his award-winning work on King Kong [1976], Alien [1979], and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial [1982]) to design, and de Laurentiis, who wanted a change, apparently because it looked like a bear. Then they had debate over the performance of the stunts between the hired dance actor...and just having McGill do it. This was the first and so far, only film directed by Dan Attias, who apparently took over the film from a departing Don Coscarelli. He has continued to direct, however, doing episodes for countless TV shows ranging from Miami Vice to It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Released in October of 1985 with a budget of $7 million, the movie was not a big success at the time with audiences*.

Apparently, some people took the movie as a comedy (Roger Ebert called it "either the worst movie ever made from a Stephen King story, or the funniest"), because it apparently wasn't exactly a scary yarn. But I thought it was just a neat yarn anyway, engaging in the weird bits that come around in "ordinary" life, namely that really anybody can be a jerk. The movie is narrated by the older version of a sister (this takes place in 1976 so either the narrator [37-year old Feldshuh] is telling this from a very distant future or she aged really badly) that can't help but be annoyed at her brother (the title is two-fold: the silver bullet is both the weapon of choice at the end and the name of the high-powered wheelchair/motorcycle and no I'm not joking). Eventually, the movie gets interesting because of Gary Busey showing up, particularly when he makes an actual wheelchair/motorcycle (when your movie is 95 minutes long, damn the torpedoes, bring up the chair). Of course, this is after the townspeople get themselves into a mob to try and attack the creature that ends up with them being fogged out (including one guy who thought bringing a bat from his bar was going to be the problem-solver). Apparently, Busey was allowed to ad-lib his lines at times because the filmmakers liked what they heard from a guy who, well, was being played by Gary Busey (before the accident, and, well, yea). And he pretty much saves the movie from what could've easily been a family mush-fest because of his entertaining qualities that arise in eccentric nature built on love for the family he cares about the most that could've easily just have been an oaf (besides, I think we know alcoholics in real life that are just straight losers* as opposed to the lovable one presented here). He wants to do right by his nephew and niece and damn it, he makes me smile when he tries to play skeptic to the whole wolf thing. The eccentric-turned-reluctant hero could've easily been the whole movie at the hands of Busey, if you think about it. That's not to say that Haim and Follows aren't great, because they do at least sell the troubles that arise in being a youth in a world that looks stranger and stranger as the years get older, particularly when a wolf happens to be around (to say nothing of their first idea together in what to do about the wolf: send letters that basically say "sir, we know who you are, kill yourself!" - okay maybe that was meant to be funny on purpose). You don't exactly get the most prominent supporting cast beyond a scene or two, but they prove serviceable, mostly with McGill and his pained attempts to justify just who he is (okay maybe the movie could make it a little less obvious who the wolf is, but hey). I don't see the problem with the werewolf design. It's a mythological creature that goes around tearing people apart, the bar is not exactly that high for me to think "oh, a beast". Sure, there are better-looking wolves in other movies (An American Werewolf in London), but calling it a werebear doesn't really tell the whole story, and besides, I kind of like looking at it, particularly since a good chunk of the time is spent seeing it with one eye. Admittedly, the climax does stretch itself a bit to really justify everything that happens (i.e. housebound with, well, one bullet to use), but I think it works itself out in that strangely sweet type of way that reminds you that in the ordinary things of life, you can find weird things to box you in or find ways to connect with people to confront said thing. Or something, because this was a strange movie to ultimately see play out, but I was never bored with it, so I'd call it a win. Maybe it wasn't a scary movie, but older movies got away with the same amount of stuff anyway. As a whole, it is a goofy but earnest little film to seek out for those who like strange execution in family-bound stories or wolf movies beyond the usual suspects, and a movie that has just turned four decades old seems like a good place to start.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

*At least Attias was willing to be interviewed about the movie. Didn't have the time to check it out, but I'm sure it has some insight - Silver Bullet! Interview with movie Director Dan Attias #stephenking #silverbullet

*There are alcoholics out there, I imagine, that are annoying as hell when not drunk.

Stepfather II.

Review #1104: Stepfather II.

Cast: 
Terry O'Quinn (Jerry Blake/Gene F. Clifford/The Stepfather), Meg Foster (Carol Grayland), Caroline Williams (Matty Crimmins), Jonathan Brandis (Todd Grayland), Henry Brown (Dr. Joseph Danvers), Mitchell Laurance (Phil Grayland), and Miriam Byrd-Nethery (Sally Jenkins) Directed by Jeff Burr.

Review: 
It is evident from the get go that this film (also known as Stepfather 2: Make Room for Daddy - no that is not a joke) is a step down from the original, with its leap in logic and minimal instances of suspense, with its one saving grace being O'Quinn once again. It isn't much of a horror film, but it will prove to be a time-waster at 93 minutes if you like that sort of thing. The original intent was to release this as a direct-to-video sequel (with a budget of $1.5 million and a shooting schedule of roughly four months), but the producers were impressed by the result enough to have it be released into theaters. In any case, there aren't too many moments of actual scares or slasher elements that you wouldn't have already seen in the first film. If you enjoyed the original, you will be pretty disappointed to see how there isn't much to the story this time around, whether in its setup or even to its main character, especially the first sequence involving the mental ward (after showing the last scene from the other film). How much guff can you give for something that was made as a cash-grab? O'Quinn proves to have the best performance once again, having a fine degree of range in showing the nature of this character in kind moments and intense times, with a few moments of amusing moments such as when he drives the car around in a junkyard while smiling. Foster (and her striking blue eyes) proves to be a mild counter-lead to O'Quinn, for better or worse, not being too particularly interesting (although that isn't much of a difference from the lead in the other film). The other members are mild stand-ins, but they do their job just fine. The death sequences and the climax feel a bit routine at times but also feel inconsistent in being effective. You may be wondering about the blood shots in certain scenes, which look a bit awkwardly placed. This is a result of fake blood being added in later in re-shoots due to studio executive complaints about the lack of blood, although O'Quinn was not involved in these shots. Ultimately, this is a bland sequel that proves to be a drag in terms of expectations for horror, disappointing people wanting something more from the first one while also disappointing anyone wanting more than just mild moments of excitement - whether to mock or not.

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

The Stepfather (1987).

Review #1103: The Stepfather.

Cast: 
Terry O'Quinn (Jerry Blake/Henry Morrison/Bill Hodgkins/The Stepfather), Jill Schoelen (Stephanie Maine), Shelley Hack (Susan Maine), Charles Lanyer (Dr. A. Bondurant), Stephen Shellen (Jim Ogilvie), Stephen E. Miller (Al Brennan), Robyn Stevan (Karen), and Jeff Schultz (Paul Baker) Directed by Joseph Ruben.

Review: 
This is a horror film that feels a bit telegraphed in certain aspects of its narrative, but it relies on the pull of its main actor and some of its thrills to carry itself to respectability, for the most part. For a movie that tries to mix psychological horror and thriller aspects together with a bit of violence, this is actually a fairly accomplished flick. O'Quinn proves to be an interesting lead to follow in that he makes this character come alive with some dimension and compelling nature, being distinct in his characterization without it coming off as out of place. He toes the line of comfortability in that there are moments when he may "seem" right at home in this family neighborhood life but he never becomes a complete chameleon or too unbelievable for his pursuits, and it is those sequences that work out just as fine as the horror stuff, such as when he makes a paper hat out of the headline containing his past crime and gives it to a kid to distract during a party or when he forgets whose identity he is momentarily. Schoelen is fairly decent, being useful to watch interact and investigate, although others may be amused at a 23 year old playing a teenager - for better or worse. Hack is also fairly decent, playing the role and motivations just as fair as you expect. There isn't anyone in the supporting cast who proves to give a great performance by any means, but they all play their roles satisfactory enough that everything clicks into place to make for something that is easy to watch, such as Lanyer and his psychologist moments that are fleeting but welcome. The climax (and how it gets there) is a bit standard, but it will likely satisfy the tastes of people in the mood for what it delivers to the table, having its share of violence and thrill without being out of left field or too much for the viewer. What could've been just another run-of-the-mill slasher movie is instead one that has a fair bit of tension and a good deal of entertainment value. It isn't a fairly scary movie or anything great of the genre, but it is a fairly interesting one with a few moments to look at and a solid O'Quinn performance that elevates this into respectability and a fairly decent curiosity piece to recommend.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.