Episode 16 - Werewolves Afterthoughts

Werewolves are the reason you are reading these words I regularly type on here. As I have mentioned before, I saw my first horror movie at age 4. It was House of Frankenstein and I loved it for the storytelling it had, the scares, and most importantly the monsters. It had them all!

Nearing the end of the classic Universal horror era many of the films are known as the monster parade, because they just started throwing in everything but the kitchen sink. The Wolfman, just like with his victims, grabbed me and never let go. Since I have always enjoyed reading and learning about the lore of lycanthropy, seeing every werewolf movie I can, and most importantly impersonating the transformation process. I think I always have and always will feel some type of possibility for werewolves to be plausible regardless of logic. Do not judge me, its fun to wonder!

It was a lot of fun talking about these films but I was a little surprised by the lack of love for The Howling. I spoke up first to express my love for it and walked into a buzz saw with the other three. I never expected to get the reaction that we did from a group that is 75% werewolf fans. Let me clarify that all three of them know their movies so I am not diminishing the value of their words on this one. However, in my humble opinion, The Howling is one of the top werewolf

films of all time. Certainly it has its faults but it also has exceptional worth that is unfortunately (and at times unfairly) overlooked because of its inopportune release that we recognize now. The fact that it came out the same year as An American Werewolf in London has forever left it compared to it, but why? Why can we not like films as films, instead of ranking them every chance we have? I am just as guilty as others of this, but sometimes it can be excessive to where movies become discounted off of the grid. I believe that has happened here. If these two films had been released in different years, I steadfastly believe that The Howling would be remembered much more affectionately and with more clout, but I digress. I just wanted to throw this out there again because I want to hear from you all! Tell us what you think of these two films!

I will not spread this entry out because it is a topic that if I am going to dig deeper into, it will need a substantial treatment. This subject matter could be talked about for days, easily. Instead let’s keep it light as I list my top 5 all –time werewolf movies below. It is not based on technical reasoning or the typical criteria for ranking films. It is simply my own personal preferences for movies I will choose to put in my player when the moon calls me.

Honorable mention – Curse of the Werewolf – One of the scariest werewolf reveals ever. Unfortunately it is in the last segment of a movie that is pretty uneventful and hollow for an hour and a half. Try and stay awake for it, it is worth it!

5. Werewolf of London – Criminally overlooked because evidently he does not have enough hair on his face. I think he looks cool, and the performances are great.

4. The Howling – Fun, dark, surreal at times, and scary. Great special effects.

3. The Wolfman – A classic! Pioneered the genre.

2. An American Werewolf in London  - A movie that shows you that horror can be fun  and big entertainment also. Showcases the best practical special effects I have ever seen.

1.Silver Bullet – It has everything! Atmosphere, suspense, a standing aggressive werewolf, small town with great characters, endless quotes, a surprise killer, a badass motorized wheelchair, and most importantly, Gary Busey! Check out Stephen King’s Cycle of the Werewolf if you have not. Great illustrations, easy fun read.

Lastly, final business:

-Thank you for listening and checking in again with us. We certainly hope you enjoyed this edition with us diving into werewolves.

-Thanks also to Vinny for sitting in with us, it was our pleasure and we hope you will return for another show!

-Lastly, Mad Chann I am still not sure what you thought was directed at you when I mentioned film school, but it wasn’t. You know your movies, keep rocking…

Beware of the moon

The Professor

Episode 16 - Werewolves

Listen in as we tackle the world of werewolves with our good friend Vinny. The majority of the group slams a movie that you might not agree with! We cover all the best of them, so do not miss out!

Episode 16 - Werewolves by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud

Episode 15 - The Evil Dead Franchise Afterthoughts

Let me just start by saying an unpopular opinion concerning the Evil Dead franchise. It is overrated. It is overrated from a saturated fan base that seems to stem from a rite of passage for movie nerds and college students (especially those majoring in telecommunications or in film school). Before you morph into a film fan cliche, let me quickly point out that this film deserves much of the praise it receives for its heart, style and technique shining through a shoestring budget and grueling experience. It is a great story for independent film-making and aspiring talents. My problem is that, I feel like many rate it far too highly and are not objective about the series anymore or even know why they appreciate it other than it is cool; but let’s not waste time stating what I hope to cover below.

The Evil Dead is truly the meat and mythos of this franchise that would have two more films and a remake in 2013. I am not going to go through each movie but my whole logic on this matter applies to the franchise as well.  The true horror in the first entry is not what you watch on screen, it is what it took to get this film on the screen. I suggest if you have not read Bruce Campbell’s If Chins Could Kill then do so. You will be treated to a wonderful inside recollection of the production stories. The time, the money, the cast: they all just kept disappearing. Stand-ins, using parent’s homes as collateral for loans, cleaning and repairing an old dilapidated cabin; whatever it took they did it.

Now for me The Evil Dead is a fun time with some notable moments, mostly because it is an independent feature. I will not worship this film like many do because at the end of the day it is what it is: a limited film. In all fairness, it is not up to the viewer to base enjoyment on what the budget was. Our job is to be entertained and anything deeper like noting trivia and other things is out of being a devoted fan. I appreciate the ingenuity and heart they had to get this movie out there. However, that does not mean I am going to put this up there with independent achievements like Halloween or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Some may call this horror blasphemy; I call it the truth.

I enjoy The Evil Dead but I will never understand why it is regarded so highly with the best of all-time. You can enjoy all types of films, know your stuff and not have to think this is one of the greatest films. I have worked on past projects from shorts to documentaries so I appreciate the process they went through. It is rigorous and heart breaking at times. I have watched countless movies from that period so I appreciate it’s time and place. So I raise this question to others: Why is this film so great? Why is this film so much above countless other independent horror films with promise that peeked through their own limitations? My initial answer is Bruce Campbell and his magic campy bravado. So I do accept that and understand it. My issue is that I feel many no longer understand the nuances and perks of these films. They just know it is something different and cool like being captivated by young dead rock stars when you discover rock and roll as a teen. All of this is okay. If a college freshman is having his world brightened with The Evil Dead then good for him; I am not ripping on anyone for liking a film for the wrong or right reasons. My point is that the praise has gotten out of control and become a little less about the actual film and its merits, and a little more about just a rite of passage. So much so that now that is being placed up in all time lists for greatest horror films of all time. Along side films like Psycho, Jaws, etc and that to me is absurd. I am positive Campbell and Raimi would feel the same way and even make fun of that notion. So please keep in mind before you rip me apart that I said I do enjoy this film along with the others in the series but I do not seem to reach the same level of film nirvana like many do with this one.  I just cannot anoint them to levels that leave them with the greatest of all time.

Sorry, if you prefer I had talked about each film individually on here but we already did on the show and this would get annoyingly long. I enjoy all of the entries including the newest one that came out last year. I enjoy them for different reasons but nonetheless I do enjoy all of them. I hope the show entertained you and if I upset you with my opinion. Good. Talking about what we love, horror movies, is why we are here. If you agree with every single word we all say then this would get boring. Thanks for listening and checking in. The next show will be up sooner than usual because of the delay getting this one up. Sorry you had to wait!

Until next time,

Beware of the moon

The Professor

Episode 15 - The Evil Dead Franchise

You knew we would get to Ash & Co. sooner than later! With Bruce Campbell and others coming to Cincinnati for Horrorhound Weekend what better time to talk all things Evil Dead? Listen in as we cover the original 3 and the new remake!

 

Episode 15 - The Evil Dead Franchise by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud

Episode 14 - TCM Afterthoughts

Tobe Hooper's original Texas Chainsaw Massacre was a milestone for horror cinema and independent film-making. What they accomplished (through horrific conditions) down in Austin Texas with that film is still important today. Which is why I feel the way I do about the rest of the franchise that followed. It was garbage.

I realize I will be chastised by many for this unpopular stance on these films, primarily the second entry. Yes, I know "Chop-Top" was great, Dennis Hopper was great, and even the artwork for the film was great. I realize that Hooper directed it so it was literally the vision coming from the same mind that provided us with the first.


My problem is that with the second entry, fans were immediately made aware that the integrity and horror of the first one were not relevant in terms of maintaining that through sequels. Really think about that first film for a second. It's absolute brutality, startling visceral imagery, and supremely odd terror that you were given to feast on. Then enter the second film that is basically comedic satirical nonsense. Why I will never know, but I do understand the reluctance to discard the film completely for some of it's merits. The aforementioned qualities certainly should not be overlooked. But they also should not be a reason to discard the failure in decision making either. 

It only set up the rest to follow suit with horrendous sequels. The third, like before, has some merits. But still falls short. I won't even get started on Next Generation because there is not enough time for you to waste reading my hateful rhetoric for that film. It has Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zellweger in it, enough said.

Then we come to rebooting the franchise with a serious approach to remaking them and with money behind them. Many enjoyed it, many new fans were brought in to the franchise because of these films. Yet, many did not find the same enjoyment and the purists ripped on them because how dare the original sacred film be toyed with? That elitism, is the same blind nonsense I listened to in a record store for 6 straight years. The reboot films, whether you liked them or not, certainly took more pride and care for the series than any of the original sequels did. I personally enjoyed all of the new films, especially the first remake. 

So while I know I am a minority with these thoughts on this franchise, I do stand by them. I love the first TCM profusely, and put it in my top 5 of all time for horror films. Which is why I disdain the sequels that followed mocking it or shamelessly trying to cash in without any effort on the behalf of the fans. Which is also why I applaud the reboot films for bringing back some serious legitimacy to the man we know as Leatherface. 

Share your thoughts with me! Whether you agree or disagree, you are obviously a fan of TCM so we all win! Thanks for listening and we are excited to be back for 2014! It looks to be a promising and great year for the show and we look forward to enjoying that with you!

 

Until next time,
Beware of the moon
The Professor.

Episode 14 - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Franchise

Listen in as we discuss the lows and highs of the TCM franchise!

Episode 14 - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Franchise by Midwestmonsterspodcast on Mixcloud