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THE MONOLITH MONSTERS (1958). Universal seemed to have used up all the Sci-Fi monster ideas by this time and not many people seem to know about this, which is a shame as it's pretty damn good. A groups of Outer Space rocks have a nasty habit of growing when wet and the situation becomes more dire as the film progresses.
The plot may sound silly, but stick with it...decent acting and the special effects are a lot better than You would expect. ***1/2 |
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THE KILLING (1956). Excellent heist movie that crackles with nervous energy. It's been compared to THE ASPHALT JUNGLE (1950-another one to check out), but in that one, the gang wants to pull off one last job, the KILLING group needs to, hoping the money will improve their circumstances. Not professional crooks in any sense of the word, other than a great Sterling Hayden as the mastermind for the crime. This early Stanley Kubrick film has wonderfully nourish photographic angles and fine performances by Colleen Grey (very touching), Marie Windsor (viperish as can be) and a standout performance by Elisha Cook JR, once again playing a meek guy trying to be tough and not really succeeding. Also a brief but pivotal spot with Timothy Carey, one of the all time great "Social Undesiribles". Obviously a big inspiration for Quentin Tarantino, like RESERVOIR DOGS, THE KILLING bounces to different times throughout, but I find it makes the film more suspenseful. Also, according to IMDB, during the distracting Bar fight, Rodney Dangerfield is up against the wall on the right watching the action...paused the frame and it sure looks like Him, probably one of his first gigs. ***** |
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BILLY THE KID VS DRACULA (1966). >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SPOILERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> .>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In an interview with FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, John Carradine considered this the worst film He ever made and "I was absolutely numb!". While BTKVD is indeed quite bad, other JC films like THE ASTRO-ZOMBIES and BIGFOOT weren't nearly as much fun. Shot in about 8 days, Dracula (who is never mentioned by name) impersonates a Ranch owner in order to victimize said owners niece who is in love with Billy The Kid, an upstanding Ranch hand. Unintentionally funny throughout with some choice lines ("Oh God! The Vampire test!" by Virginia Christine, Mrs Olson from Folger's coffee and Ananka in THE MUMMY'S CURSE) and hammy acting throughout, with John getting top honors, particularly when he is in a stagecoach being shown a picture of the niece ("Eighteen and Beautiful? Yes, I WOULD like to see it!" and his eyes all but bugging out of his skull::smile::) while Drac's demise will just have You shaking your head in disbelief. ** |
Good thing Billy the Kid is quick on the draw.
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PREHISTORIC WOMEN (1967). Martine Beswicke-so cool when We met her at Monster Bash last June-gives it the old College try, but this is incredibly tedious and padded with dance number after dance number and definitely filmed on the "Cheap and Hurry". Watch ONE MILLION YEARS BC instead; more action and Martine is pretty good in there. *
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BLACK PIT OF DR M (1958). Typically wild Mexican film about a Doctor coercing his dying colleague for info about "the other side". He gets the info, but at such a price. Very good photography, atmosphere and some eye raising moments. Make some popcorn and enjoy. ***
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BLACK FRIDAY (1940)>>>>>>>>>SPOILERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > As a Crime drama, this isn't too bad, but just falls to pieces as a Horror film. Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi get star billing, but don't have a single scene together. The plot concerns a Surgeon -originally supposed to be played by Bela-whose kindly Teacher friend-Karloff-is seriously injured and the Surgeon transplants part of a gangsters brain to save him. Finding put the gangster had a big stash in the big city, the two men take a trip there where the Gangsters personality begins to take over with Jekyll/Hyde transformations. According to rumor (mainly by screenwriter Curt Siodmak), Karloff felt he wouldn't be believable in the dual role, so He was given the role of the Doctor and Bela was given a thankless part of a member of the Crime gang (One thinks with his natural voice, Bela could have handled the Slavic Doctor). In the main role, as the Teacher/Gangster, Stanley Ridges is quite good; I think He steals the whole film, but so many missed opportunities here make this one of the lesser Boris/Bela pairings. ** |
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