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Reviews
ABC Weekend Specials: Scruffy (1980)
Ruby Spears pulls at the heart and watches the tears fall.....
There were many memorable short films during the run of ABC's "Weekend Special", which started in the 1970's, but this particular offering from Ruby Spears Enterprises in 1980 was(and still is) probably one of the most remembered, primarily for its tragic content that wasn't usually found in many children's cartoons back then, except of course in feature films like "Bambi" or "The Fox and the Hound". "Scruffy" was in fact a more depressing children's story in literary form than the finished product that came onto TV screens and home video. The plot surrounds a stray puppy searching for a home. It's a pretty simple premise granted. The problem in this case, for television anyway, seemed to be about dealing with the horrible situations given in the book and yet make it marketable for a child. Many scenes, joyfully reminiscent of classic Saturday Morning TV material, obviously were put in for a lighter viewing. Even with this, the cartoon is still a dark and actually even upsetting account of the lives of unwanted animals. In truth, you would have to be made of stone not to be touched by this, which some people consider a "guilt trip" of sorts. The actors were mostly TV celebs you have seen or heard of at least one time or another. Hans Conried, remembered mostly for his wonderful roles as "Captain Hook" from Peter Pan and "Snidely Whiplash" from the Bullwinkle show brings in a nice performance as street performer Joseph Tibbles. Nancy McKeon of "The Division" really keeps the drama in motion as orphaned Scruffy. "Rugrats" and "Transformers" favorite Michael Bell was a good choice for the tough but kind hearted Butch. June Foray, of course is wonderful(and if you don't know who she is you have not been watching enough cartoons) as well as cartoon vets Janet Waldo and Frank Welker. Should you watch this? If you are too soft hearted, I would keep my distance. For those who are interested, keep the tissues handy. It is practically the "Beaches" or "Terms of Endearment" of Saturday morning kid specials.
Toolbox Murders (2004)
Tobe Hooper is a craftsman and a true pioneer and this proves it.
"Toolbox Murders", while being interpreted as a "remake" of an earlier film with the same name, is given a powerful upgrade and the story shines thanks to the duties of fright master Tobe Hooper. There is something "wrong" with the overrated and creepy looking "Lusman Arms" apartment complex. For years, this old place has been catering to the best Hollywood has to offer, but now, it seems that the "Arms" has been caught up in controversy as well as strange hammering sounds heard in the night. For many who live here, it will not be a heavenly voyage to the stars and screens. The guests who live here are a beautiful struggling actress, an actor going into his most recent audition, a former overweight woman, a dysfunctional family and their brainy son, and a newly married young couple. Our married youngsters have had stormy money problems and have moved into the decrepit housing project. While the husband is out "on call" usually at his place of business, the hospital, his wife Nell(played well by Angela Bettis) is left at home, usually scared by the continuous "knocking" noises and drilling. As she is finding clues to find out what is going on, her neighbors are systematically slaughtered, drilled, and hammered by a masked man who somehow lives in the bowels of the building. Here is where we find Hooper at his best. We go through caverns and unknown tunnels, not knowing what we will reach. He has approached this "exploring the unknown" in several films including "The Funhouse", "Poltergeist", and of course, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "Toolbox" really brings us back to the classic form of screen terror we have longed for since we traveled to "Salem's Lot", which was also masterfully done by Hooper. If you thought Tobe Hooper was done with you, think again and give this "power driller killer" a spin. There's always a vacancy at The Lusman.
The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
Unbelievably high shock value that will leave you shaken
Alexandre Aja gives you the goods and waits for your horrified squeals in gleeful delight in this wonderful re-imagined picture inspired by Wes Craven's "take-no-prisoners" film from 1977 with Dee Wallace Stone. We have two families. One is of a miner colony who refuses to leave their homeland before a nuclear strike. The results are plain disastrous and terrible, leaving them scarred, deformed, and just plain obsessed on getting anything of their former life back, including violence and stealth. We also have the Carter family which is your typical American "apple pie" family which, by the looks of them, function very well together as a unit. After many an introduction, we get down to the core which is survival. A trap is triggered and sends our "apple pie" Carters whirling into one hell of a tourist trap. In the middle of the deserts of New Mexico, where no signal from a cell phone can be had, they attempt to make the best of things while sending a few people out for help. The mutated miners, who live on the opposite side of a nearby mine in a landscape of waste, death, and psychosis, savagely harass, abuse, and in several instances kill, rape, and feed off of their abandoned victims, The Carters. Here is where, naturally, everything is out of control and the terror never stops until the credits. You get shock after shock after shock. Whatever you think won't happen usually will and when you think the film has hit its worst moment, there is always something more heinous awaiting you from 'round a corner. This is quite possibly the best horror film I have seen in years as it is straight forward and given that, there is no laughing to be had here, just pure terror and as a horror fan, I can't be scared about that.
Salem's Lot (1979)
Possibly one of the most atmospheric and creepy film treats
"Salem's Lot", released on television way back in 1979, still can creep one out with its effects. Those who are spoiled rotten by today's nonstop CGI extravaganzas obviously do not know what technique is, and by and large it is still the best way to create an illusion. Mario Bava, Dario Argento, Tobe Hooper, among others have proved this. What we witness here is a good old fashioned chill with probably some of the most nightmarish vampires ever seen on screen, at the movies or otherwise. It is the classic type of film that solidifies Tobe Hooper as a master of his craft. Granted, it is not an exact mirror of the book, but judging by the limitations Mr. Hooper had to work with on national television, "Salem's Lot" is a powerhouse of fear. Extra kudos go to fantastic performances by the cold and scheming Straker, played magnificently by James Mason, the bold heroic youngster played by Lance Kerwin, the vulnerable and timid Susan Norton, portrayed by Bonnie Bedelia, who ironically played another heroine in the fantastic "Needful Things", and, of course Mr. David Soul, who brings heart and feeling into Ben Mears, a man with a dark future in front of him. All in all, a masterpiece.
By the way-
Have you answered that scratching at the
window yet?
Wolf Creek (2005)
Most barbaric and grueling. A horror fan's dream.
This story lets us in on a dirty secret hidden by an Outback psychopath, who has a bit of sadistic fun with our teen victims. You can't help but find these young people likable, which makes their torture that much more unsettling. The unpredictable style of the killer, and the claustrophobic settings really get under your skin. It is a horror film that needs to be seen at least once. Totally merciless. I would go as far to say that I liked it as much as "Haute Tension". While kind of slow in parts, the film makes up for it in a big hurry. No matter how smart or quick you are, evil will find you and have its way. That's about the most disturbing thing about "Wolf Creek" that I can think of.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (2005)
A darker and eerier remake
The remake of "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" has all the poles holding it up. We have plenty of shadows, plenty of new camera angles, and more tension than the original masterpiece. Of course you are going to see some scenes which mirror the original. This just proves the love which went into the making of this soon to be classic. The most remarkable parts of this film are the reprisals of the original flick's backgrounds, and a fantastic series of performances, especially the new Caligari who is even more bad tempered and crazier than ever. The new film focuses even more on the sanity of the tortured Francis, who seems to be losing his grip with his own world as the film progresses. The actor who portrays the killer Caesare is eerily similar to the first film's sleepwalking stabber. The black and white flavoring really gives you the impression that this film might have been made in the late 30's than the new millennium. All in all, a terrific remake and a film no horror purist can resist.
Haute tension (2003)
Bloody, intense, psychological terror. A classic film.
There should not be any surprise why Wes Craven chose Alexandre Aja to direct the remake of "The Hills Have Eyes". Aja's "High Tension" delivers what could be the most terrifying scenario in horror history since "The Last House on The Left". Two young women travel to a dreary looking farmhouse to study for important school exams. That same night, as soon as the doorbell rings, the madness strikes, and it strikes hard. The killer in this film holds nothing back, and it will feel as if you had been struck in the stomach by a 2x4. The flick will not let you go until the last fearful scene is over. Highly recommended for serious horror filmmakers.