Ghostbusters

Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis
Written by: Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis

Director: Ivan Reitman
Year: 1984

Rating: * * * * 1/2    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *   )  Total: * * * * * 1/2

Having been kicked off campus, three underachieving scientists go into business for themselves investigating and capturing ghosts.

After having the daylights scared out of them at the public library by an spectral librarian, Doctors Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) return to their lab at school, only to find the Dean evicting them and their belongings from the University. So, after a triple mortgage taken out on Ray's parent's home, they lease a dilapidated firehouse, purchase a beat up hearse, fund their equipment,  and set up business as "Ghostbusters", the first for-hire business that polices and captures ghosts in the NYC area.

At first, there isn't much going on. There doesn't seem to be a huge demand for Ghostbusting. In fact, their only client is one Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) who visits them after a terrifying experience she had in her kitchen, where the refrigerator door seemed to open as a portal to another world. Dr. Venkman goes to check out her apartment, but seems more interested in pursuing her than any supernatural events. Dana ends up kicking him out once everything seems to be back too normal. 

Then, they get their first job. A hotel manager at a posh Manhattan Hotel has had enough of the disturbances on the 13th floor and calls the Ghostbusters for help. Only then do the Ghostbusters realize they've never actually tested their equipment and aren't sure what to expect. What follows is a hilarious sequence in which they not only capture their first ghost, but completely trash the 13th floor as well. Yet, they still charge the hotel $5k for their service. This incident immediately thrust them on the front page of every newspaper, and suddenly they're celebrities. 

As they continue to get more and more work, they are then confronted with Walter Peck, an investigator with the NYC EPA, convinced that they are using unsafe devices and seeks to shut down their entire operation. Meanwhile, Dana's troubles aren't over. Turns out, the man that designed her apartment building was an architect who worshiped a demi-god named Gozer, and her apartment is the gateway for Gozer to return to the Earth.

Comedy and science fiction come together to create arguably one of the funniest films of all time. The film boasts a talented and stellar cast, many of whom put in their career performances in this film. Rick Moranis, the nerdy next door neighbor of Dana is lovably funny in every scene. Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, have the notoriety of not only bringing this film to life as actors, but also its writers. Each play their characters to the tilt, harnessing all their creative and artistic talents. Bill Murray pulls off his slacker-style character seen in such films as Stripes, making Peter Venkman identifiable and relatable as the every-man hero. Sigourney Weaver, known for her tough as nails Ellen Ripley in Alien, really lets her hair down in this film, showing off her sense of humor. 

Of course, all of this talent needs direction, and when it comes to comdedy, you couldn't beat Ivan Reitman. With plenty of great films in his career, Ghostbusters will always be his masterpiece. An upbeat soundtrack by Ray Parks, and special effects from ILM only serve as icing to this masterful cake.

A sequel was made 5 years later, that while less funny, was still a decent film. An animated series, various video games, and even a table top RPG have come out in the years that followed, illustrating a fanbase that continues to carry a torch for this great film. In fact, 2013 promises a Ghostbusters III. 

SEE THE TRAILER: Ghostbusters

An American Werewolf In London

Starring: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne
Written by: John Landis

Director: John Landis
Year: 1981

Rating: * * *     Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *   )  Total: * * * * 

Two American tourists backpack their way across England's countryside, where they are attacked by a werewolf. 

David Kessler (David Naughton) and Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne) are college friends hitchhiking across the English countryside when they're dropped off at a small English village. Stopping in the local tavern to get out of the cold and wet weather, they're treated rather coldly by the locals who seem to keep to themselves. Eventually they do warm up to them a bit until Jack asks about the strange symbol painted on the wall. They're told to leave, but warned not to go in the marshes and stick to the roads. Of course, the two of them pay this warning little heed as they continue to banter endlessly as they walk and suddenly find themselves in the marshes, and off the road. Under the full moon they're attacked by a werewolf. jack is ripped to pieces, but as David gets attacked, the villagers shoot and kill the wolf. Unfortunately it's too late. The curse has been passed down to David.

Awakening in a hospital, David begins to have both nightmares and hallucinations. He believes his friend Jack is coming back from the dead to warn him of what he'll become and he should kill himself before it's too late. The Nurse, Alex Price (Jenny Agutter) a bit of a cougar, takes a liking to David, putting him up at her flat when he's released from the hospital. Of course, when the next full moon hits, David changes into a bestial wolf and begins hunting man in the urban landscape of London.

This movie is leaps and bounds over previous werewolf films simply for the special effects alone. The transformation sequences are frighting, and seem painful to endure. Flesh stretches, bones contort in unnatural configurations, hair grows out of the skin, features distort, all the while David screams in agony. Another thing that makes this film work is David's likability. David Naughton plays a lovable, unassuming character that is easily relatable to contemporary audiences. This makes the curse all the more terrible as we sympathize with his plight.

The juxtaposition of contemporary Americans trudging though English folklore is complimented by the notion of a wolf of superstitious legend hunting in a modern day city landscape. Comedic moments are kept to a minimum, and are practical to the narrative. For example, when David wakes up naked at the zoo and steals the kids balloons to cover up, are light hearted scenes that also illustrate the complexities he deals with while having this curse.

Even today, An American Werewolf In London holds up as a true fright-fest. There was a sequel of sorts made years later, An American Werewolf in Paris, which relied more on CGI and comedy, than true visual effects and horror. It was a passable follow-up, but nothing compared to its predecessor.

SEE THE TRAILER: An American Werewolf In London

Friday the 13th part 3

Starring: Dan Kimmell, Tracie Savage, Richard Brooker, Larry Zerner
Written by: Martin Kitrosser, Carl Watson

Director: Steve Miner
Year: 1982

Rating: * * 1/2    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *   )  Total: * * * 1/2

They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Jason, having survived the events of part 2, is back, and more brutal than ever.

Steve Miner does an excellent job from the get go establishing an atmosphere full of mystery and tension. A few misdirections and false scares keep the audience on edge. He also does what you do with a movie like this, that is to do it better than before.

Similar plot and location, and nothing shockingly new to tell, Friday the 13th, part III simply turns up the dial on the scares, the elaborate nature of the various killings, and the quantity of killings. Plus, this film is shot in 3D, bringing in a whole new dimension to fear.

The victims run the gambit from sweet and lovable losers like Shelly, to a group of biker thugs that get their come-uppance, to some aging hippies looking to get high. The cautionary tale of sex, drugs and rock n roll leading to a dead end is cemented in this film.

Jason Vorhees is certainly more brutal. His strength and stamina seem super-human. Plus, this is the  film Jason earns his trademark hockey mask. The ending of the film is a bit bizarre, with an homage and a twist to the ending experienced in the first Friday the 13th film.

Almost 30 years later, the film takes a few hits over time. The 3D aspect hasn't been utilized since coming to home video, making some of the intense scenes appear comical. Among fans of the genre, the killings are met more with cheers than screams. Still, after three films, Jason is still a compelling killer that people enjoy revisiting.

SEE THE TRAILER: Friday the 13th part 3

Evil Dead 2

Starring: Bruce Campbell. Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks
Written by: Sam Raimi, Scott Spiegel

Director: Sam Raimi
Year: 1987

Rating: * * 1/2    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *   )  Total: * * * 1/2

An evil incantation, a book of the dead, and some demonic forces make for a night of hell for Ash and company.

Evil Dead 2 takes off where Evil Dead left off, sort of. The first few minutes is recapping the events of the first film with some slight adjustment in continuity. Despite what seems like Ash returning to the cabin with a new girlfriend, is really just exposition, erasing the involvement of the other friends. 

But from this moment forward, it's on. Ash (Bruce Campbell) continues to deal with the torment and horror of the evil forces, with only his wits to protect him. That is until the professor's daughter and her group show up, recently back from an archaeological dig, including the Necronomicon, the book of the dead. If translated correctly, the book may seal the evil forever, or unleash something worse.

What made the first film so much fun, level's up in this film. Crazy camera-chase sequences, bizarre effects and intense scenes peppered with dark humor and this time, a deeper plot. This is the series that made Bruce Campbell a favorite among comic-book and horror fans.

SEE THE TRAILER: Evil Dead 2

The Sentinel

Starring: Christina Raines, Chris Sarandon, Ava Gardner, John Carradine, Beverly D'Angelo, Christopher Walken, Burgess Meredith
Written by: Jeffrey Konvitz

Director: Michael Winner
Year: 1977

Rating: * * 1/2    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus -   )  Total: * * 1/2

A young fashion model moves into a posh Brooklyn Heights apartment where the strange goings on only get more frightening.

Wanting to move out of her boyfriends apartment, Alison Parker (Chistina Raines) looks to prove to herself she can make it on her own. After a few misses with the real estate agent, she finally comes across an incredible furnished apartment, low rent and an incredible view. The place is quiet, with a blind, reclusive priest who lives on the 5th floor. As time goes on she runs into other neighbors, such as Charles (Burgess Meredith), a lovable old man with a pet canary named Mortimer and a cat named Jezebel. Two lesbians downstairs, and an elderly woman she meets at a party for Jezebel round out the list. Yet later, when complaining about the noise in the vacant apartment upstairs, the real estate lady tells her that other than the old priest, no one else lives there. She even takes Alison into those apartments where dust and cobwebs suggest no one has been there for years, despite Alison having been there herself just the other day. But things only get stranger from there. She begins having fainting spells, hindering her work. She also confronts her dead father in the room above, stabbing him, yet when the police investigate, the blood turns out to be her own. This all leads to a terrible truth where she is meant to inherit the mantle of Sentinel, a guardian that keeps the forces of hell at bay.

If for any reason, this film is enjoyable simply for the amount of stars in it, especially before they were stars. The film tries to drag out a compelling drama, but the weird and creepy events are scattered apart just enough to keep it interesting. With various sub plots and intrigues, the movie holds itself together well, making for an enjoyable, if not quite memorable addition to the horror genre.

SEE THE TRAILER: The Sentinel 

Poltergeist

Starring: Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Heather O'Rourke
Written by: Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais

Director: Tobe Hooper
Year: 1982

Rating: * * * *    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus  - )   Total: * * * *

"They're here."

When the television goes off the air, a strange broadcast begins that only Carol Anne (Heather O"Rourke) can see and hear. It seems the dead speak to her, and just when the rest of the family gets wise to the supernatural goings on within the home, the unthinkable happens. Tthe young girl is kidnapped, still residing within the home but on the other side. Tormented by the hauntings, and the stress of being unable to rescue their little girl from the clutches of the dead, they turn to a team of paranormal investigators, who then defer to a medium, in order to get her back.

Special effects meet Spielberg's sensibilities creating a modern day ghost story of epic proportions. Creaking doors and loud bangs are just light hearted homages to traditional haunted house stories. No, here we get a tree that tries to eat Robby, Carol Anne's brother, a giant dog thing that guards the entrance to the kid's room, and corpses that rise from the swimming pool. All of which pale in comparison to the entire house which implodes into the spirit world. Yes, this film goes way over-the-top, yet skillfully never strains credibility. 

Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams play the roles of the parents who's sanity hangs on by a thread as they desperately try and get their daughter back. Moments of sheer terror are blended with moments of tenderness giving audiences a true roller coaster experience. Consider the scene where Carol Anne can be heard running down the stairs and passes through the body of her Mother. She breaks down and cries as for a moment she felt an intimate connection to her child. She could even smell her on her clothes. Than just as suddenly, an inhuman growl is heard causing alarm as they realize whatever this is must be chasing her. Just an incredibly, well paced film.

The movie inspired two sequels, one fair, the third sub-par, as well as a mini-series. In 2013, a remake will befall us. Till then, this near 30 year film still delivers the goods.

SEE THE TRAILER: Poltergeist

Freaks

Starring: Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams, Olga Baclanova, Harry Earles
Written by: Clarence Aaron "Tod" Robbins, Willis Goldbeck, Leon Gordon

Director: Tod Browning
Year: 1932

Rating: * * 1/2    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *   )  Total: * * * 1/2

Stare at them, mock them, shriek at them. Just don't betray them.

The story of Freaks centers around a dwarf named Hans who is engaged to marry fellow dwarf Frieda. Yet from the beginning, it's clear that Hans is enamored with the beautiful trapeze artist Cleopatra. Cleopatra enjoys leading him on, able to get money from him all the while laughing at him behind his back. Frieda confronts her letting her know that she cannot make Hans as happy as Cleopatra could, and is willing to let go of him so long as she has Han's best interests at heart. She lets it slip that Hans is due to inherit a large fortune. This causes Cleopatra and her strongman boyfriend Hercules to hatch a plot where she marries him, than poisons him.  When the other freaks learn what's going on, they exact a revenge on the would be murderers that's chilling to the bone. 

Perhaps one of the most compelling horror films of its day. Tod Browning, who brought great success to Universal Studios with Dracula, gets lured away to MGM studios to direct Freaks. What MGM got was a film that completely flopped in the theaters, not because it was a bad film, but completely ahead of its time. First was Tod's decision to cast real life freaks, including a half dozen "pin heads", a conjoined twin, a bearded lady, a woman with no arms, a man with no legs, several dwarves and midgets, and a torso man (no arms or legs). The film expertly showcases these freaks in their daily struggles and achievements with life, love, and getting by. For example, Roscoe, a man with a peculiar stuttering problem, is engaged to marry Daisy, but has to deal with her conjoined sister Violet who's dating another man. We see the human torso struggle to do something as simple as light a cigarette. And let's not forget the lovable pin heads, who are adults with the minds of children.This did not sit well with audiences or critics of the time as it was just "too much" for them to deal with. In fact, in the UK, it was banned for 30 years. One viewer wrote in, "to put such creatures in a film and before the public is unthinkable." Premiere voted this film as one of "the 25 most dangerous movies." 

There is a clear morality play going on, and several "norms" fill in these rolls. Some, like Hercules, Cleopatra, and a few stage hands mock the freaks and treat them with disdain. Others, like Venus, Phroso, and Madame Tetrallini treat them as friends, with respect and dignity. In the end, the film showcases the freaks in a positive light. They appear fragile and helpless, yet are able to protect themselves and each other. The real disdain is how we are capable of viewing them. To look away from them is to look away at the freakish nature of ourselves and our perceptions of what is normal.

Sadly, time has not been kind to this film. Age, combined with poor audio quality of the era causes some dialogue to be undecipherable. Still, the performances and powerful message resonate today. This is truly a masterpiece film worthy of viewing if you've never seen it before. It has also gained a small cult following who've begun appreciating Browning's vision some 60 years later.

SEE THE TRAILER: Freaks

Frankenstein

Starring: Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Mae Clarke
Written by: John L. Balderston, Mary Shelley (novel)

Director: James Whale
Year: 1931

Rating: * * * *    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *   )  Total: * * * * *

With science replacing religion, man creates life from death. But this life becomes a monster.

This cautionary tale of science gone mad has endured as a film for 80 years now, and is still among the top favorite films of the genre.  Frankenstein, the name of the mad scientist by-the-way, the Monster had no name, is a man obsessed of restoring life to dead tissue. In his laboratory, he puts together body parts exhumed from various corpses, and harnessing the power of lightning, restores this modern day Prometheus to the land of the living. 

When Frankenstein realizes what a monster he created, he locks it in a cell within the keep. Frankenstein's assistant Fritz, enjoys tormenting the monster until it gets a hold of him and kills him. The monster wanders the countryside. Here, director James Whale takes a different turn than Mary Shelley's novel. He turns the monster into a sympathetic creature. Despite being poked and prodded bvy Fritz, despite having a "bad brain" placed inside its head, the Monster has an innocence about him. He plays alongside a river bank with a little girl throwing flowers into the lake. The monster delights at how the pretty flowers float on the water and when he runs out of flowers, he throws the girl in expecting the same results. She doesn't float. In fact she drowns, and the monster, afraid and confused runs away.

When the girls body is found and the Father cries out for justice, the villagers gather together and chase the monster down into an old windmill and set it on fire. The monster is dead, or is it? The film tasks us with identifying the true monster. Was it the lumbering creature forced to exist in a world it cannot understand? Was the monster Henry Frankenstein himself, and his obsession? Or was Henry a victim of the hubris that afflicts men of science? Again, great liberties were taken from Mary Shelley's version, but movie audiences consider this work a masterpiece. Never before was a creature equally frighting and sympathetic. A powerful conflict of emotions.

This film has launched a slew of official Universal Studios sequels, most notably The Bride of Frankenstein. But there was also Son of Frankenstein, The Ghost of Frankenstein, Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman, House of Frankenstein and House of Dracula. Many also consider Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein to be in continuity.

SEE THE TRAILER: Frankenstein