Meteor (1979)

I was searching for something to watch earlier today and stumbled onto one of the classic disaster flicks that I grew up with. This was ironic, because just yesterday I mentioned this genre to someone on X. Because the conversation was still fresh in my mind, I decided to sit back and enjoy 1979s Meteor. 

Plot: The U.S. must join forces with the U.S.S.R. in order to destroy a gigantic asteroid heading straight for Earth.

Ahh, the 70s were such a good decade for fear mongering and disaster films. While this one isn’t one of the better entries, it is an interesting throwback to that era and genre. The ensemble cast is deep and they put on solid performances. While some of the storyline seems a bit out of touch, having grown up in that time, I felt at home with the Cold War aspects that were a constant throughout the film. The effects are dated, the soundtrack doesn’t blend, and some of the overall feel was uneven and cheesy, but that is what made those All-Star disaster films so much fun. The story lacks tremendous depth but it is interesting, casting is spot on, and there are moments of suspense that do hold up. In the end, this one didn’t age well because much of the underlying atmosphere was tied to the Soviet Union and the Cold War. If you grew up during that time frame like I did, then this one will be appreciated. It is far from perfect and nowhere near the best disaster movie from the era, but it is a fun trip back to when the world and attitudes were totally different. 

Prophecy (1979)

While I continue to do my research for my next post on Leave the World Behind post,  I took some time to watch some older entries.  My latest entry will be on a classic ecohorror flick from the 70s. The 1979 entry prophecy.

Plot: A government health inspector is dispatched to assess the damage a logging company is causing to a patch of forest claimed by Native Americans, and comes face to face with true terror wreaking havoc in the woods.

While this is far from a perfect movie,  it is definitely one of the better ones from the late 70s. Featuring a solid cast,  the performances are really good and the storyline is rather interesting for the time.  Yes,  it was made lacking the gore and true horror elements that could have taken it to the next level (a PG rating) and it does plod along at some points,  but it really does succeed at creating a solid creature feature.  In the end,  this one may lack the punch of some features,  but it is a fun watch and one that should be put into your creature feature rotation.  

Bog (1979)

I know I haven't posted much lately,  although, that isn't too easy that I haven't been watching stuff or researching strange things.  In fact,  I spent most of last week and this week marathoning Grimm, a show that I believe had a lot of predictive programming elements woven in. Last night,  I went to see Oppenheimer, and while I could review that,  I will hold off because of the strike. That's no problem,  because that gives me a chance to look at some older movies,  such as 1979s Bog.

Plot: Dynamite fishing in a rural swamp revives a prehistoric gill monster that must have the blood of human females in order to survive.

I know Horror Host Mister Lobo says, "they're not bad movies, they're just misunderstood movies" and I can usually agree with that.  Usually you can found some element that makes it worth watching.  That isn't the case with this one,  as it may be one of the worst movies I have ever seen.  Really,  there are no redeeming qualities.  The acting is below average or worse,  the cinematography, effects, and editing are bad (even for low budget films), the storyline is unreal,  and the overall quality of the movie has in no way held up over time.  Incredibly,  there are no signs that any of this was intentionally put together to give it some comedic elements. This movie is just bad. Stay away!

The Visitor (1979)

After taking a break last night from watching any movies, I decided that today I would go back and review a movie that I caught earlier in the week. That movie is the 1979 horror/sci-fi entry The Visitor.

Plot/ The soul of a young girl with telekinetic powers becomes the prize in a fight between forces of God and the Devil.

I am a huge fan of surreal movies that make you think; especially ones that can border on confusing and this one fits that bill perfectly. An interesting storyline that seems to feed on more than a few classics, this movie has some elements that should appeal to any horror or sci-fi fan. For the most part, the performances are solid, the cinematography is interesting, and the overall tone and feel of the movie works. Unfortunately, the storyline and plot, while intriguing have so many confusing elements that it is hard to make sense out of (even if you are paying close attention) and the soundtrack feels completely out of touch with the overall tone of the movie. In the end, this one will definitely fall into the love/hate category and is extremely hard to totally describe in any way. My only recommendation is to see it for yourself (at least once) and make your own judgment. Personally, I enjoyed it, but then again, my tastes are much different than many horror/sci-fi fans out there.

Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)

Having spent last night with Chucky, I decided that I wanted something completely different tonight. After searching through Shudder, I went for a classic vampire tale in 1979s vampire entry Nosferatu the Vampyre.

Plot/ Count Dracula moves from Transylvania to Wismar, spreading the Black Plague across the land. Only a woman pure of heart can bring an end to his reign of horror.

Wanting a classic vampire tale, this movie seemed like the perfect selection for the evening. Having not seen it in some time, I had forgotten how beautiful this movie was and how well it captured the great story of Dracula. Werner Herzog did a great job at creating a modern version of Murnau's classic Nosferatu, while adding some almost human elements to the Dracula character. The performances are outstanding, the cinematography and visuals are amazing, and there is a subtle calm that ties everything together. Unfortunately, the splendor captured inside those elements do take a small toll on the overall feel of the movie as this one does seem to lack the darker atmosphere of the original, the pacing is slow, and there really are no creepy or frightening moments. Fortunately, when you submerge yourself into the film, those flaws are easily overlooked. In the end, this is a different film than most Dracula interpretations because it shows sadness in the character that usually doesn’t exist. It may not be for everyone, but it is definitely worth watching and an underrated film in Dracula lore.

Phantasm (1979)

Before I could dive into Phantasm: Ravager, I needed to get back into the series by revisiting the classic Phantasm. When I saw it on Shudder, I was excited to reenter one of my favorite horror films. So, without anymore of my babbling here on Christmas Day, the next review it the 1979 low budget classic Phantasm.

Plot/ A teenage boy and his friends face off against a mysterious grave robber known only as the Tall Man, who keeps a lethal arsenal of terrible weapons with him.

As I mentioned last night in my review, Phantasm is one of my favorite horror franchises and a movie that left a lasting impression on me as I was growing up. When I decided to revisit the remastered version, I already knew what to expect, and it is a movie that can be very polarizing for viewers. There is so much to love in this low budget horror classic, featuring both surrealistic and sci-fi/fantasy elements. Set in an atmospheric and layered storyline, there are many elements that make it a strange ride into its own dimension of horror. Complete with the Tall Man (Angus Scrimm), the silver blood draining spheres, and the crazy superhuman dwarfs, the emotions of love and loss, as well as coming of age are all woven into the scripting. Yes, the performances are uneven and some of the overall feel is incoherent, but those factors are easily overlooked when immersing yourself into the story. In the end, this is one of the most memorable horror films of the 1970s, and a movie that is a must see for horror fans. If you have not seen it, shame on you! Highly recommended.

Alien (1979)

Being back into the swing of some horror flicks this weekend; I figured that it was time for me to revisit a classic. While at Family Video, I saw the perfect film to fill that void. That movie is the 1979 classic Alien.

Plot/ After a space merchant vessel perceives an unknown transmission as distress call; their landing on the source moon finds one of the crew attacked by a mysterious life form. Continuing their journey back to Earth with the attacked crew having recovered and the critter deceased, they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun.

I know that there are movies that need no introduction or lasting homage, and this is one of those films. Really, there is nothing more that I could add about this classic, except maybe the fact that it holds up tremendously well even after all of these years. Honestly, it is incredible that this movie came out in 1979 and remains one of the greatest and most influential Sci-Fi/Horror films ever made. The cinematography and direction is perfectly done and helps develop the dense and claustrophobic atmosphere that saturates the entire movie. The performances are outstanding and take the script to a very memorable level with actions and dialog that also stand the test of time. On top of that, the special effects are amazing and the soundtrack blends in with the darkness and creates something that may never be duplicated. In the end, this is a movie that will definitely outlive many films that have been considered classics and should always find a new fan base to entertain. If you have not seen it, what are you waiting for?

Salem's Lot (1979)

While I have been splitting time between Fringe and Ancient Aliens, I did find my way to Pittsburgh to hand out with my cousin Jennifer (visiting from Seattle) and her brothers, Jonathan and Jason, as they performed with their band, The Dumplings last night in the city. It was so awesome watched Jennifer hit the stage for an Alice Cooper cover to close the show. Today, I decided to venture back to my youth while doing some homework with the 1979 classic Salem’s Lot.

Plot/ Young novelist returning home to Salem's Lot after many years is disturbed by the strange behavior of its people. He begins to believe that the source of the trouble may be the eerie old Marsten House that overlooks the town.

Its funny, I had remembered much of Salem’s Lot, but almost forgot just how good this miniseries was. It is amazing to see exactly how much the quality put on our televisions has dropped over the past few decades. This was a solid entry that featured outstanding performances, solid scripting, dark and heavy atmosphere, and a soundtrack that backed it up perfectly. Sure, as a made for television entry, it lacks gore and nudity, but that does not bring this one down at all. In fact, it makes for a perfect vampire primer for the younger generation as it depicts the genre in the way they should be portrayed (sparkling vampires suck). In the end, Salem’s Lot may be one of the better King adaptations from the 1970s or 1980s, and it is a movie that must be seen. If you have not watched it, find it and check it out!

The Brood (1979)

After a couple days away from the blog, focusing on NFL Draft preps for Steelers 101, I decided to jump back into some classic horror on Friday. Of course, that did come after watching Hannibal (cannot miss that), as it is my favorite show on regular television (The Following a close second). My selection for the evening was the 1979 flick: The Brood.

Plot/ A man tries to uncover an unconventional psychologist's therapy techniques on his institutionalized wife, while a series of brutal attacks committed by a brood of mutant children coincides with the husband's investigation.

David Cronenberg movies are always interesting and this one is quite possibly one of his best. The Sci-Fi / Psychological Horror combo has everything a horror fan needs to be satisfied. The storyline is interesting, soundtrack effective, the cinematography is tremendous, the acting convincing, and the atmosphere creates a dark and heavy realm. Yes, some of the costuming may make it feel dated, but honestly, that is part of the allure of the movie. In the end, this is a classic piece of 1970s horror cinema, and a movie that must be seen. If you have not watched this one, find it, and check it out.

Spare Parts (aka Fleisch -1979)

After taking some time enjoying some great backwoods bloodbaths, I decided to take a break and enjoy some more of the Drive-In Classics box set, next up the 1979 German cult classic Spare Parts (AKA Fleisch).

Plot/ A new married couple spent their honeymoon in the southwestern of the United States. Suddenly, the unbelievable happens: the husband is kidnapped and assaulted by paramedics in an ambulance. The wife escaped at the last minute, it is taken up by a truck driver. Together they embark on the search for the kidnapped husband; they encounter a dangerous and perfectly organized syndicate that supplies the world's wealthy customers in organs of young, healthy people

This Drive-In Classics box set has been so hit or miss when it comes to the movies contained in it. This flick seems to fall into the hit category (not great but decent).  This German made-for-television medical harvesting thriller is actually pretty good with an atmosphere that kept me on edge throughout. The acting was solid, the story intriguing, the script average, the cinematography sound and a score that helped maintain the score. Yes, there are some dubbing issues and the sound quality varies, and the plot seems to have gaping holes from time-to-time, but it all works and everything ties together in the end.  Although a bit cliché, with an overall idea that has been copied many times, this flick is interesting and definitely worth watching if you get a chance.

Savage Weekend (1979)

After finally finishing off the Horror: Do Not Watch Alone set (again), I dove into another set I have, the Drive-In Movie Classics box set for the 1973 forgotten gem Savage Weekend.

Plot/ Several couples head upstate to the country to watch a boat being built. Unfortunately they are stalked by a murderer behind a ghoulish mask.

I do not know exactly what it was about this flick, maybe it was the nudity, and maybe it was the Halloween-like slasher element, who knows. But, I do know this was an interesting little slasher that goes almost unmentioned. Yes, some of it is really BAD, with the boom microphone making multiple appearances and terrible pacing for the first half of the film. Not to mention the kills are average with minimal gore. Yet, the acting is solid complete with some realism to the diverse characters, there is a combination of nudity and trashy sex scenes, and while decently easy to figure out, the twist ending seems to actually fit. Sure it is not for everyone, but fans of slashers and 1970s exploitations should like this underrated flick. 

The Capture of Bigfoot (1979)

Last night when I started searching Netflix for movies to watch I was surprised by the variety of classic 1970s Bigfoot fair that was available. For the first flick of the week, I chose 1979s The Capture of Bigfoot!

Plot/ Bigfoot is sited near a ski resort, and a local business man wants to capture him for publicity.

Ok, I am a sucker for films such as this one. Being a person that has whole-heartedly believed in this legendary creature since the first time I saw a picture, all of these movies have become part of my being. Yes, this is no cinematic masterpiece, with very poor acting, production qualities and effects, but it is true low-budget, b-movie, and campy fun. Hell, just the sets with the real snow make it worth watching. If, like me, you grew up during the 1970s during the height of the Bigfoot craze, check this one out. If you aren’t, you may want to stay away!

The Demon (1979)

Time to continue venturing into the Cult Horror Collection set. Recognizing the titles, I felt like I would try to get the snoozers out of the way by viewing Cameron Mitchell’s The Demon from 1979 tonight. While I know that this low budget entry will not live up to some of the others from the set, I must be fair and give it equal time.

Plot / A psychopath is on the loose and an ex-U.S. Marine psychic, Colonel Bill Carson, is brought in to track the psycho and try and find out what happened to their Daughter.

When I saw the title, I thought I had suffered through this before, but was not sure. Then it started and I realized that indeed was the case, but never-the-less, I struggled through this disjointed mess. Yes, there are some (a few) good spots in this attempt to ride on the coattails of Halloween; there is some decent atmosphere and the acting is tolerable. However, that is about where the good starts and the bad begins. The movie changes direction about half way through (which is hard to believe with such a clichéd plot) , it moves quite slow and the gore is non-existent. On top of that the lack of a budget was really apparent throughout. All in all, it was really not a very good movie. At least I know that my next entry from this set, Deep Red, is a much better film and one that I will enjoy watching and reviewing.