Movies watched this week
I am always looking to watch new horror movies, and discovering old ones that might have escaped me, as well as catching up with ones that I haven't seen in a long time. This week I have seen the following for the first time: The Reptile, The Mummy (1959) Society (1989), Shivers (1975), as well as Terror in the Wax Museum (1973) the latter I freely admit I was unable to finish but I will try again.
The Reptile (1966)
I must admit I had not heard of this movie, but it being a Hammer House of Horror movie I was keen to give a try. The film unfortunately has no Peter Cushing or Christopher Lee but did have a few familiar faces. As you might expect with a title such as The Reptile it turns out residents of a small village are being killed off with what appears to be snake bites. The movie is quite watchable, by no means a classic, but worthy of a viewing. The only thing that really lets it down is the monster reveal, it just doesn’t look the part, it actually looks goofy. (5 out of 10)
The Mummy (1959)
I can't believe I have somehow never watched this movie. Again, it is a Hammer production and this time has both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. As the title suggests there is a mummy involved. The usual mummy related storyline with archaeologists discovering a tomb in Egypt, with predictable results. The acting is good, the cinematography is good and the special effects are good, not that a mummy wrapped up requires much special effects? I would recommend watching this movie. (7 out of 10)
Society (1989)
This is a film that just has that late 80s vibe to it. Again, I can’t believe I am only watching this movie. The plot involves a teenage boy who does not feel a full member of his family. He investigates, and in the process uncovers some crazy goings on. The last act of this movie is really quite strange, certainly worth watching for that part of the movie. Acting is decent, special effects are decent also. This film is of course more of a commentary on the 1980s life style of the rich, and the gap between them and those "beneath" them. It’s how I imagine Hollywood types behave behind closed doors. (6 out of 10)
Shivers (1975)
I am a big fan of Scanners and Videodrome, so I decided to watch this movie. The plot involves parasites that live within the human body. These parasites turn everyone infected into a really horny zombie, and also sometimes a very horny violent zombie. One by one the residents of an expensive apartment building become horny zombies. It is a film that dares to break taboos I will give it that but it just seemed to me to be quite dated. Like the film society there is no doubt it is a social commentary, with its middle-class residents engaging in sex orgies. In other words, the rich have their secrets far removed from their outward morality. I guess? (5 out of 10)
Terror in the Wax Museum
I am going to be honest and admit that movie was so boring I didn’t manage to watch it in full. Perhaps the last act of the movie redeems it, who knows, but I just leave this move in the queue. About the best thing in the movie, at least for me, is appearance of John Carradine, unfortunately he isn’t in it that much. Like House of Wax, someone tries to sell a wax museum and then. well people die. I guess. All I can remember is some spiteful old hag being mean to a physically deformed occupant of the museum. Avoid, (1 out of 10.