Bynovekka1
Joined Apr 2001
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In the snowy wilderness of 1815 western Canada, two teenage girls claiming to be lost from an exploring expedition seek shelter. They stumble upon an Indian village and discover its inhabitants torn to shreds as if by wild animals. Shortly after the girls find themselves stalked by mysterious beasts that lurk in the woodland shadows. As the creatures draw close, the girls are saved by a surviving Indian brave and taken to an isolated trading post that is also under siege by the incredibly vicious beast....creatures that are actually the victims of an ancient European disease brought over by white settlers to the new world.
This is the rather interesting concept of the most recent of the Ginger snaps films....Ginger snaps back.
Allow me to begin by saying I am not a big fan of the the first two Ginger Snaps movies. While many speak highly of both installments I found little to recommend them. The whole suicidal Gothic girl bit went out with the 80s dark comedy, Heathers. That combined with low production values, little or no atmosphere and shabby special effects....the films were severely hindered. In fact, the only thing that was entertaining about the earlier series efforts was the impressive on screen rapport of the films two attractive young stars: Emily Perkins and Katherine Isabelle.
In the films third installment, however, most that was bad in the first two movies was removed. But all that was good remained. Perkins and Isabelle for example are back. The close knit ties between the sisters....which is the main running theme of the films....remains intact. "Together forever" is the girls motto, no matter what the cost. They prove that and more in this installment. The setting of the film...as mentioned above....changes to a refreshingly more atmospheric location and time setting. The movie obviously had more of a budget to work with as the production values and special effects are much better this time around. And best of all the director seemed to know how to make film of this type. He goes for story and characterization over gore.
The only downsides are with some portions of the script. Katherine Isabelle's character slips into modern day speak on a few occasions. And one or two minor characters and subplots seem a bit cliché'. But otherwise this film hits mostly quality high notes and is pleasure to watch if you enjoy a well made horror movie experience.
This is the rather interesting concept of the most recent of the Ginger snaps films....Ginger snaps back.
Allow me to begin by saying I am not a big fan of the the first two Ginger Snaps movies. While many speak highly of both installments I found little to recommend them. The whole suicidal Gothic girl bit went out with the 80s dark comedy, Heathers. That combined with low production values, little or no atmosphere and shabby special effects....the films were severely hindered. In fact, the only thing that was entertaining about the earlier series efforts was the impressive on screen rapport of the films two attractive young stars: Emily Perkins and Katherine Isabelle.
In the films third installment, however, most that was bad in the first two movies was removed. But all that was good remained. Perkins and Isabelle for example are back. The close knit ties between the sisters....which is the main running theme of the films....remains intact. "Together forever" is the girls motto, no matter what the cost. They prove that and more in this installment. The setting of the film...as mentioned above....changes to a refreshingly more atmospheric location and time setting. The movie obviously had more of a budget to work with as the production values and special effects are much better this time around. And best of all the director seemed to know how to make film of this type. He goes for story and characterization over gore.
The only downsides are with some portions of the script. Katherine Isabelle's character slips into modern day speak on a few occasions. And one or two minor characters and subplots seem a bit cliché'. But otherwise this film hits mostly quality high notes and is pleasure to watch if you enjoy a well made horror movie experience.
The shining glory of Producer/Director Dan Curtis's career came in 1983 when he transformed Herman Wouk's acclaimed World war 2 novel "The Winds of War" into an epic television miniseries. But it was during the late 60s and 70s that Curtis originally became a known and respected commodity in hollywood. During that time, Curtis was responsible for the creation of several suprisingly effective "B" horror films.
Minor classics like "The Night Stalker"...."The Night Strangler"....."Scream of wolf" are must see nostalgia pieces for true fans of the Genre. His 1971 semi-gothic effort "House of Dark shadows" also ranks high on the list of Curtis's early cinematic achievements.
The film is based on the unquestioned most popular segment of the old daytime TV series, "Dark Shadows". For those that don't know..."Dark Shadows" was a struggling 60s daytime soap opera concerning the dulling exploits of a boorish super rich New England family....the Collin's. After a season of well worn plots about family infighting and powerstruggles the show was on verge of being canceled. That's when series creator....Curtis....came up with a radical idea. Introduce supernatural elements into the show.
Soon the shows focus drifted from standard issue soap opera melodrama into a detailed examination of Collins family's haunted past. Over the next five years, Dan Curtis brought to light virtually every family Skeleton.....often literally. The seemingly eternally cursed clan's estate....Collinwood...was to play host to various unwanted preternatural ghouls who in one way or another were connected to the family. Among the collection of these occult charactors were: Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, Wizards, Demons, Artifically created men and women, Ghosts, Headless entities.....just to name a few.
When Dark Shadows faded from the afternoon scene in 1971....its ever loyal fans cried for more. Curtis responded with with pair of post series movies....and some 20 years later....a prime time sequel series. The first of these films efforts being the aforementioned 'House of Darkshadows'. In the recreation process the noted director quite capably revived and enhanced many of numberous supernatural elements that made the old serial popular....while offering up far superior production values.
In house of Dark Shadows the audience is privy to the scheme of a wily caretaker who happens upon a map he believes leads to an ancient treasure buried on the grounds of Collinwood. The map brings him to the Collins family crypt where rather than treasure, the caretaker accidentally releases something dark from its eternal bondage.
That same night a young woman is attacked at the main gate of the estate. Left comatose from loss of blood caused by mysterious twin puncture wounds on her neck.....the girl can provide no clue to the nature of her attacker. But soon other victims start to pop up...similarly wounded and minus a few pints of plasma.
A pair of learned locals conclude a vampire is responsible for the attacks. The authorities and Collin's family....quite naturally scoff at the notion. They prefer to believe an unknown type of animal or a madman is behind the attacks. However, the doubters soon change their tune when a Collins family member on the intruders menu is killed and eventually returns from the grave as one of the living dead.
The supernatural nature of the killer revealed....the police are soon scurrying about the area with crosses and stakes....while almost the entire Collins family are armed with cross bows and stringing up enough garlic to corner the market.
While terror reigns supreme at Collinwood, the family has no way of knowing the perpetrator of this unspeakable villainy is dwelling unsuspected within their midst.
By todays standard "House of Dark Shadows" might seem somewhat hokey with its max factor fangs and cherry syrup blood. But for its time, it was quality achievement and even now it provides something rarely seen.....a well written horror film with some into classic gothic overtones added into the mix.
Minor classics like "The Night Stalker"...."The Night Strangler"....."Scream of wolf" are must see nostalgia pieces for true fans of the Genre. His 1971 semi-gothic effort "House of Dark shadows" also ranks high on the list of Curtis's early cinematic achievements.
The film is based on the unquestioned most popular segment of the old daytime TV series, "Dark Shadows". For those that don't know..."Dark Shadows" was a struggling 60s daytime soap opera concerning the dulling exploits of a boorish super rich New England family....the Collin's. After a season of well worn plots about family infighting and powerstruggles the show was on verge of being canceled. That's when series creator....Curtis....came up with a radical idea. Introduce supernatural elements into the show.
Soon the shows focus drifted from standard issue soap opera melodrama into a detailed examination of Collins family's haunted past. Over the next five years, Dan Curtis brought to light virtually every family Skeleton.....often literally. The seemingly eternally cursed clan's estate....Collinwood...was to play host to various unwanted preternatural ghouls who in one way or another were connected to the family. Among the collection of these occult charactors were: Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, Wizards, Demons, Artifically created men and women, Ghosts, Headless entities.....just to name a few.
When Dark Shadows faded from the afternoon scene in 1971....its ever loyal fans cried for more. Curtis responded with with pair of post series movies....and some 20 years later....a prime time sequel series. The first of these films efforts being the aforementioned 'House of Darkshadows'. In the recreation process the noted director quite capably revived and enhanced many of numberous supernatural elements that made the old serial popular....while offering up far superior production values.
In house of Dark Shadows the audience is privy to the scheme of a wily caretaker who happens upon a map he believes leads to an ancient treasure buried on the grounds of Collinwood. The map brings him to the Collins family crypt where rather than treasure, the caretaker accidentally releases something dark from its eternal bondage.
That same night a young woman is attacked at the main gate of the estate. Left comatose from loss of blood caused by mysterious twin puncture wounds on her neck.....the girl can provide no clue to the nature of her attacker. But soon other victims start to pop up...similarly wounded and minus a few pints of plasma.
A pair of learned locals conclude a vampire is responsible for the attacks. The authorities and Collin's family....quite naturally scoff at the notion. They prefer to believe an unknown type of animal or a madman is behind the attacks. However, the doubters soon change their tune when a Collins family member on the intruders menu is killed and eventually returns from the grave as one of the living dead.
The supernatural nature of the killer revealed....the police are soon scurrying about the area with crosses and stakes....while almost the entire Collins family are armed with cross bows and stringing up enough garlic to corner the market.
While terror reigns supreme at Collinwood, the family has no way of knowing the perpetrator of this unspeakable villainy is dwelling unsuspected within their midst.
By todays standard "House of Dark Shadows" might seem somewhat hokey with its max factor fangs and cherry syrup blood. But for its time, it was quality achievement and even now it provides something rarely seen.....a well written horror film with some into classic gothic overtones added into the mix.
33 years ago it was decided to make a movie about lonely guy falling in love with a rat. *Blinks*....Okaaaaaaaay....guess it was a 70s thing. Regardless.....this movie was given a modest budget....enough to pay for a couple of capable actors, a 35mm camera and a bunch of trained rats.....and allowed go.
Amazingly this seemingly off the wall, nowhere flick not only became quite a sleeper hit of 1971.....but it also spawned a equally weird sequel two years later.....and in 2003....a remake. It is this more current film upon which I shall focus.
In the 2003 update we have resident weirdo Willard Styles who looks like a refuge from the Addam's family....living a drab, lonely exsitance. Then comes that magic day when catching rats in the basement he stumbles upon Sorcrates.....The handsome white mouse of his dreams. He spares Sorcrates, earning him the undying affection of albino beauty and the loyalty of the local rodent society.
Willard soon decides to train his new pals to do his bidding....in various....often illegal ways. As the training sessions intensify....so does the affection between Willard and Sorcrates. Soon this ain't just a friendly owner pet thing......it's full blown love!!!
Unfortunately for our cross species lovers....several stumbling blocks arise that threaten their budding affair.
Willard's aged...addled....mother who clings to her son like saran wrap. Kat: Willard's pretty, sympathetic co-worker who for seems to be taking a romantic interest in Willard. Willard's ogre of a boss....who for undisclosed reasons wants to buy Willard's house out from under him....a move that would force Willard away from his sewer dwelling pals. And finally....Ben. The hulking former king rat whose position as the big cheese of the rodent set has been usurped by Willard.
Willard has some interesting aspects and performances. Crispen Glover in the title is appropriately offbeat. And R. Lee Ermey plays the nasty boss role to the hilt. But the overall concept of the film is so weird and implausable its hard to become overly interested in the proceedings.
Amazingly this seemingly off the wall, nowhere flick not only became quite a sleeper hit of 1971.....but it also spawned a equally weird sequel two years later.....and in 2003....a remake. It is this more current film upon which I shall focus.
In the 2003 update we have resident weirdo Willard Styles who looks like a refuge from the Addam's family....living a drab, lonely exsitance. Then comes that magic day when catching rats in the basement he stumbles upon Sorcrates.....The handsome white mouse of his dreams. He spares Sorcrates, earning him the undying affection of albino beauty and the loyalty of the local rodent society.
Willard soon decides to train his new pals to do his bidding....in various....often illegal ways. As the training sessions intensify....so does the affection between Willard and Sorcrates. Soon this ain't just a friendly owner pet thing......it's full blown love!!!
Unfortunately for our cross species lovers....several stumbling blocks arise that threaten their budding affair.
Willard's aged...addled....mother who clings to her son like saran wrap. Kat: Willard's pretty, sympathetic co-worker who for seems to be taking a romantic interest in Willard. Willard's ogre of a boss....who for undisclosed reasons wants to buy Willard's house out from under him....a move that would force Willard away from his sewer dwelling pals. And finally....Ben. The hulking former king rat whose position as the big cheese of the rodent set has been usurped by Willard.
Willard has some interesting aspects and performances. Crispen Glover in the title is appropriately offbeat. And R. Lee Ermey plays the nasty boss role to the hilt. But the overall concept of the film is so weird and implausable its hard to become overly interested in the proceedings.