I actually saw "It Came from Outer Space" at a double-feature with "Creature from the Black Lagoon" --- and both were presented in 3-D ... it was at an old movie theater in Akron, Ohio, and was part of a horror movie convention called FrightVision. Needless to say, it was a great crowd and great time.

Because of Munro and Baker, and it was in theaters at a time of my life were my imagination and fascination with mythology and movies, etc., was molding me, ... and Marvel Comics put out a comic book version of the tale ... this is actually my personal favorite of all the Harryhausen adventures.

I only recently saw "It Came from Outer Space" when I borrowed it from my library a couple years ago. I may have seen it as a kid too, but have no memory of it. I liked it. It's a classic aliens-land-in-the-desert movie (probably one of the first, which set the early standard!). Beyond the ship crashing into earth and some of the shots of the alien toward the end, I didn't really notice much that seemed glaringly 3D in nature. While it was released in 3D it doesn't seem to go over the top in that regard. Plus, it's got Russell (The Professor) Johnson in it. How can you go wrong?

I'm sure I saw "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad" as a kid, but also had no memory of that one until I got it from Netflix a year or so ago. I was on a little Harryhausen kick--which I need to get back on! Needless to say, I'd recommend it Beastball.

Just recently I heard of "Let the Right One In" for the first time. It sounds intriguing. While this whole teen-vampire-romance genre we're deep into doesn't do anything for me, "Let The Right One In" does sound good. Looking forward to your review Uncle POE!

Week of August 21-22

Fright Night Chiller Theatre
Red Mist (2008, 85 mins.)
The medical students at Forthaven General Hospital study hard and party harder, until a cruel prank accidentally puts the facility’s creepy janitor into a deep coma. But when one responsible student (Arielle Kabbel of The Uninvited & The Grudge 2) tries to revive the degenerate loner with an experimental injection she instead sends his brainwaves berserk. Will a sudden spree of sick kicks now claim the guilty one-by-one, or has the ultimated out-of-body experience ushered in a bloodbath of brutal revenge! Directed by Paddy Breathnach (Shrooms). [DVD/edited]
Notes: AKA “Freakdog.” I have no idea why this is called “Red Mist,” when “Freakdog” is clearly a more accurate title. The plot is nothing original, but it felt somewhat fresh. Good, gory flick though it may move a little slow for some.
Z: 5.5
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujlssE7r_BE


The Vault of Horror
Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974, 93 mins.)
Baron Frankenstein is dead, right? That’s precisely what he wants folks to think. He’s had it up to here with a public that doesn’t appreciate the trouble a mad scientist goes through to snatch good body parts. To carry on his work, he holes up in a place where the possibilities are utterly maddening: a home for the criminally insane. A hand here. A brain there. True to form, the Baron (Peter Cushing) keeps his gruesome creation (David Prowse, widely known for his later portrayals of Darth Vader) in stitches in this sixth and final frightfest in Hammer Films’ Frankenstein cycle. [DVD]
Notes: I really liked this Hammer entry, as it seemed to bring a few new spins to the tried-and-true storyline. I especially liked the final scene of the movie … too bad it was the last scene of any Hammer Frankenstein flick.
Z: 8.0
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0r_mO7rrAE


Creature Feature --- Ray Harryhausen Month
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958, 88 mins.)
It’s an incredible cinematic adventure as the legendary Sinbad sets off on a dangerous journey to the mysterious island of Colossus. His quest is to break the spell cast over hs beloved princess by a diabolical magician. But before he can save her, Sinbad must battle an awesome collection of mythical monsters – the man-eating Cycops, a saber-wielding skeleton, a ferocious two-headed bird called the Roc and a fire-breathing dragon. Highlighted by the stunning visual effects mastery of Ray Harryhausen. [DVD/edited]
Notes: This is Ray Harryhausen's Masterpiece. Typically great stuff from Harryhausen, particularly the one thing that makes this movie standout from the others – the Cyclops! I know now/remember why I still prefer “The Golden Voyage” (beyond the Munro factor) is because I didn’t like the clean-shaven, bare-head look of Sinbad; also, I remember being disappointed that the genie was a kid. Minor grips for a fantasy classic.
Z: 8.0
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luM68BpsP48


Saturday Night Dead
Trailer Park of Terror (2008, 97 mins.)
Six troubled high school students and their chaperons are returning from a retreat when their bus crashes, stranding them in the middle of trailer park hell – literally. Without warning, hillbilly zombies looking for fun begin slaughtering the teens in gruesome fashion. With a rockin’ Southern-fried soundtrack, top-notch special effects and a devilish sense of humor, Trailer Park of Terror (based on the Imperium comic book series) is nasty fun for the hard-core horror fan. [DVD]
Notes: Exactly what would you expect from a movie with a title like this? Well, I have to say it delivered to my expectations. It’s not “Shaun of the Dead” but it’s much better than many recent DVD zombie-flicks I’ve endured.
Z: 6.5 (SND Rating 8.5)
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLAC52C7rms


Horror Theatre --- 8 Films to Die For: After Dark HorrorFest III
Voices (2007, 85 mins.)
Afer witnessing the violent murders of two family members, a young woman fears that she may be marked for death. With no one to trust and nowhere to flee, she races agains time to uncover a deadly secret, in this heart-stopping thriller based on the best-selling comic book series. [DVD]
Notes: AKA “ Du saram-yida” . Subtitled, so I had to pay great attention to the movie … I guess I don’t get the love for Japanese horror; all about ghosts and curses. It was interesting (and had one really great visual), but it wasn’t clear what exactly was going on until the very, very, very end … and by that time I’m not sure I cared. HorrorFest I had “Reincarnation” which I liked a lot, but I generally prefer the American versions of the originals (The Grudge, The Ring, etc.).
Z: 2.5
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80edHQ0ujNU

It's freakin' amazing ... given all the weird crap I watch, I've been able to find a YouTube vid for everything so far.

Notes from last week's viewing are updated. Out of state for a few days, so posting this week's viewing earlier than usual.

Week of August 28-29

Fright Night Chiller Theatre
The Frighteners (1996, 110 mins.)
In the sleepy little town of Fairwater, a monstrous evil has awakened … an evil so powerful that its reach extends from beyond the grave! Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox) makes a living as a small-town “ghost hunter,” ridding haunted housed of their unwelcome “guests.” But he’s in cahoots with the very ghosts he promises to evict. It’s the perfect scam, until a powerful spirit goes on a murderous rampage, and everyone in town thinks that Frank is behind it. Now he must try to clear his name and find a way to stop this diabolical ghost --- without becoming one himself. [DVD]
Notes: Featuring music by Danny Elfman. I had the same reaction to this movie as I did the first time I saw it at the theater - Falls short from a huge amount of potential. Still, I enjoy it.
Z: 6.0
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSA4ssrgnwA


Monster Mash
Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008, 97 mins.)
In the not-so-distant future, a worldwide epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GENECO, a biotech company that offers organ transplants … for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession … and hunted by the REPO man!. [DVD]
Notes: From the producers of “Saw,” stars Anthony Stewart Head (Giles from “Buffy”), Paris Hilton, Bill Moseley and Paul Sorvino. There is also a 150-minute version! Wow, this is a wild movie; not sure I can recommend it across the board, but if you like things like "Tommy" or "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," then you probably would enjoy this. Very ambitious. Plus, I will admit, having Joan Jett drop-in was a huge selling point for me.
Z: 6.0
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzgpU25C6fg


The Vault of Horror
House of Wax (1953, 88 mins.)
In the wicked performance that crowned him the movie’s master of the macabre, Vincent Price plays a renowned wax sculptor plunged into madness when an arsonist destroys his life’s work. Unable to use his flame-scarred hands, he devises a new – and murderous – way of restocking his House of Wax. [DVD]
Notes: A remake of 1933’s “Mystery of the Wax Museum,” starring Lionel Atwill and Fay Wray, shot in the two-color Technicolor process. A classic; sort of a foreshadowing of 'Dr. Phibes'. A lot of schlocky 3-D scenes.
Z: 8.5
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o773CJ7pyck


Creature Feature --- Ray Harryhausen Month
Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977, 113 mins.)
Sinbad (Patrick Wayne), daring sailor and Prince of Baghdad, sets sail towards Charnak seeking permission from Prince Kassim to wed his sister, Farah (Jane Seymour). But Sinbad discovers that Kassim has been placed under a spell by their fiendish stepmother, Zenobia (Margaret Whiting). To break the wicked spell, Sinbad must set forth on a journey unlike any ever traveled. Awaiting him on this perilous voyage is an assortment of beasts beyond one’s wildest imagination. Among the creatures encountered are the Minoton, a bronze colossus; a giant troglodyte; a sabre-toothed tiger; and an ‘almost human’ baboon. The incredible animated special effects by Ray Harryhausen will keep you spellbound as you sail with this Sinbad classic. [DVD]
Notes: Watching this two-hour, 1977 epic, I realized that Harryhausen's magic (though perhaps more experienced) was no different than it was in "The 7th Voyage" --- a testament to how far-ahead of his time he was in Hollywood.
Z: 7.0
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBIcXvtdAD8


Saturday Night Dead --- Double Feature
Countess Dracula (1970, 91 mins.)
When a voracious vampire vixen (Ingrid Pitt) discovers that virgins’ blood holds the secret to eternal youth, it’s no time at all before she’s spweezing her sweet young chambermaids into a blood-chiling beauty cream. But there’s a wrinkle in her plan when her beloved, Captain Dobi, stumbles on her bloody secret – and she finally learns that a little mass murder can really suck the romance out of your love life! [DVD]
Notes: Blood-letting and bosoms, but really a very subdued horror movie using the term vampire very liberally in this spin on Countess Bathory.
Z: 3.0
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0UKg47jegw

The Vampire Lovers (1970, 91 mins.)
Buxom vamps and bloodthirsty beauties abound in this thriller showcasing the netherworld’s most voluptuous vampire! Traveling the countryside searching for victims, Carmilla quenches her thirst for blood with the best-looking maidens she can find. But when she unleashes a murderous sexual massacre on a small town, the local gentry fights back … plotting to drive a stake through the heart of this sexy, savage killer. [DVD]
Notes: Well, this is more like it. Blood-letting and bosoms and authentic VAMPS.
Z: 5.0
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StTTfl8SU5k


Horror Theatre --- 8 Films To Die For: After Dark HorrorFest III
The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations (2009, 90 mins.)
Sam has an extraordinary talent: the ability to travel through time. He can use his gift to help the police solve cases, but he must never intervene with the past as it could alter the present in horrific ways. When a woman from Sam’s past begs him to help find her sister’s killer, Sam breaks his own rule … and all hell breaks loose. [Xxx]
Notes: I really like the first Butterfly Effect; despite Erica Durance (Smallville's Lois Lane), I have not seen BF2. So, it was odd to watch BF3, especially as part of HorrorFest (which usually features off-the-radar kind of films, not ones with name recognition like this. Overall, good movie if you just don't dwell on the 'how-to' aspect of the time travel.
Z: 6.5
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsk5ag7PGxA