Re-Animator (1985)

Sorry that I have been away from the blog for a while, with softball and college, my schedule has been excessively hectic to keep up. However, with this being October and with Halloween in the air, I decided it was time to venture back into some movies and writing. Hopefully, I can keep up. My first movie selection for the month is a movie that really does not need a review, it is a classic; 1985s H.P. Lovecraft’s Re-Animator!

Plot/ A dedicated student at a medical college and his girlfriend become involved in bizarre experiments centering around the re-animation of dead tissue when an odd new student arrives on campus.

This is one of the best examples of how someone can create a cult classic on a minimal budget. Shot for less than one million dollars in the 1980s, this H.P. Lovecraft entry is an amazing film to watch. Yes, it is filled with schlock, and there is a tremendous amount of gore, graphic nudity, and violent activities, but it is accomplished in a way that makes it fun and entertaining. This movie has a great mix of comedy and horror, with Jeffrey Combs delivering one of his best performances. Sure, some of the luster has worn off and there is definitely a 1980s feel to the wardrobe and styling’s, but those have no bearing on the film at all. In the end, Stuart Gordon created a memorable masterpiece that never gets old. If you have not watched this one yet, you are missing out. Check it out!

Dagon (2001)

As I sat trying to decide what to watch today, it dawned on me that today was H.P. Lovecraft’s birthday. With that in mind, I decided to venture into his vast realm and check out Dagon.

Plot/ Based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, the undisputed master of the macabre, Dagon tells the story of Paul Marsh, a young man who discovers that the truth will not set him free instead it condemns him to a waking nightmare of unrelenting horror. A boating accident off the coast of Spain sends Paul and his girlfriend Barbara to the decrepit fishing village of Imboca looking for help. As night falls, people start to disappear and things not quite human start to appear. Paul finds himself pursued by the entire town. Running for his life, he uncovers Imboca's dark secret: that they pray to Dagon, a monstrous god of the sea. And Dagon's unholy offspring are freakish half-human creatures on the loose in Imboca.

This is one of my favorite Stuart Gordon adaptations of Lovecraft. The feel of the movie is solid, with a great plot that builds tension throughout. In fact, this is one of the first flicks that I feel truly captures the surreal atmosphere that permeates through all of his writings.  One of the things that I find outstanding is the fact that the majority of the horror and suspense relies more on fear of the unknown than gore. Yes, there are some flaws, but those are pretty minor. In the end, this is a flick that is entertaining on many levels and should be checked out, especially by fans of Lovecraft!

From Beyond (1986)

  

After picking up my shrunken heads last night and then watching Oddities, it was time to settle in for some fun. My selection for the evening was Stuart Gordon's 1986 classic From Beyond.

Plot/ Based on a story by H. P. Lovecraft, scientists create a resonator to stimulate the pineal gland (sixth sense), and open up a door to a parallel (and hostile) universe.

Making a Lovecraft adaptation is always a challenge, yet, Gordon has somehow seemed to have cornered the market at making these adaptations entertaining. This flick is no exception. I really liked the creepy feel to the movie, especially considering the tough of dark humor that was thrown in. The special effects and gore were awesome, creating some of the most memorable images of the era. While you combine the imagery with an outstanding soundtrack and some strong performances by Jeffrey Combs, Ken Foree and Barbara Crampton and it is easy to overlook some of the flaws (uneven script and rushed characterizations). In all, this is one of my favorite Lovecraft adaptations and a very good flick. Yes, it screams 1980s, but it is well worth watching.

The Pit and the Pendulum (1991)

After enjoying Dorian Gray, I was finally able to sit down and watch another period piece, the 1991 Stuart Gordon adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Pit and the Pendulum.

Plot/ It is the time of the Spanish Inquisition. Maria does not like what is going on during the "Auto De Fe". When she speaks out, she is arrested and accused of being a witch. Torquemada has plans for her!

Like many, I strayed from watching this adaptation of the classic Edgar Allan Poe tale. To be, honest, I thought that the Corman / Price classic was perfect in so many ways that an updated version was not needed. However, after sitting down to this flick last night, I may have been wrong. Director Stuart Gordon crafts a tale of atmosphere and dread, which is truly better than I ever imagined. True, it does not feature a tremendous amount of gore or violence, but it does contain an interesting blend of scenes that are terrifying. The acting is solid with Lance Henriksen maybe having his most powerful performance. In the end, this is much better than many believe and recommended to fans of Poe, Gordon and anyone into historical based atmospheric horror.