Let's Talk About Horror Fiction and Film

[Spaceman Spiff]

^ Did you like it?

Also, have you found Cinema Insomnia? This week's was pretty entertaining. The film was a cheap Godzilla knock-off, and when the protagonists head to the exotic island which is home to the titular monster, the "natives" are Japanese actors in blackface.

As a result, Mr. Lobo made a running joke of it, begging people not to write in, etc. "And now we return to Japan's answer to Bamboozled, Monster from a Prehistoric Planet!"

[Starbreaker]

Oh, last year I read The Descent and Deeper by Jeff Long, some really interesting novels where Hell is a physical place on Earth and there is a race of demons in the subterranean. If you're interested in creepy books, I definitely recommend these.

[Spaceman Spiff]

^ I have The Descent (also on the "to read" pile). It gets pretty good reviews, but fans are complaining about Deeper. How'd you feel about it? I mean, you obviously liked it, but what do you think of the criticism?

[nx1701g]

I recently read the zombie duology "The Rising" and "City of the Dead" and found them to be pretty horror filled.

[Starbreaker]

Spaceman Spiff said:
^ I have The Descent (also on the "to read" pile). It gets pretty good reviews, but fans are complaining about Deeper. How'd you feel about it? I mean, you obviously liked it, but what do you think of the criticism?

I think they're about on the same level. I can understand why some people don't like Deeper, but I think all the hate is unfounded. I mean there are actually some things I like about Deeper more than the Descent. The Descent takes place mostly below ground, but there is a very irritating subplot that takes place on the surface. Deeper takes place mostly underground as well, and I think there are some very interesting characters.

Deeper is probably disappointing to people because it takes the main characters from the Descent and makes things much more depressing for them. I'm not always up for a happy ending though.

[RJDiogenes]

Spaceman Spiff said:
^ Did you like it?

I did, as a stand-alone entity (some of the moments of TV sitcom feminism made me roll my eyes, but it's not too bad). It doesn't really capture the feel of the Universals; the first half reminds me more of the Doug Moench-Val Mayerik series in Monsters Unleashed back in the 70s (which I loved) and the second half is off the wall. Also, it's totally inconsistent with Shadow of Frankenstein, so obviously they're not interested in expanding the Universal universe. I'm not happy about all that, but it doesn't effect the quality of the novel, which is pretty high. And I did like the ending, but I'm interested in hearing your opinion when you read it.

Also, have you found Cinema Insomnia? This week's was pretty entertaining. The film was a cheap Godzilla knock-off, and when the protagonists head to the exotic island which is home to the titular monster, the "natives" are Japanese actors in blackface.

Unfortunately, it's not syndicated in my area. But that site looks like a treasure trove. I just need a block of time to dive into it, which will probably happen this weekend.

[Spaceman Spiff]

The Cinema Insomnia version of Frankenstein vs. the Creature from Blood Cove was a mixed bag. It didn't have the stripping scenes that (in my opinion) bring the film to a screeching halt every time. It also cut out most of the gay make-up artist's lines, which I didn't expect, though I guess I should have. Since these were the two annoying aspects of the film for me, it was interesting to watch this "edited" version.

That said, this version would be kind of confusing to someone who hasn't seen the original, because it seems like the make-up artist had a few key lines of exposition. It makes some of the events in the movie seem pretty random. But at least I didn't have to watch him lisp about how much he loveth a good thucker.

I like the spirit of the movie, and most of it is a lot of fun, but I wish Winckler didn't assume that his audience needs the stripping, and that his humor where gays are concerned wasn't stuck in an '80s B-comedy.

On of the fun parts of Cinema Insomnia's treatment was that they played it like it was an election pitting Frankenstein's monster against the Creature. They had attack ads, and even had actors in cheap costumes performing a debate. ("Military gooooood...!")

That was a lot of fun.

Bride of Frankenstein: Pandora's Bride was not fun. I think it was the most disappointing of the Dark Horse/Universal Monsters books for me so far. But more on that later.

[RJDiogenes]

Well, I guess I won't bother recommending Don Glut's movies.

I like that election gimmick. I wish I got Cinema Insomnia around here. You'd think the Boston area would get everything, but we don't....

Ah, Pandora's Bride then. After a few mood swings, I came to like it; it's like I crossed some threshold of ridiculousness and said what the hell. How'd you like the "Special Guest Star?" And the ending?

[Spaceman Spiff]

RJDiogenes said:
Well, I guess I won't bother recommending Don Glut's movies.

Well, the problem for me wasn't the nudity, it's the fact that the story would just stop for five minutes while the girls stripped. Heck, they even used the "strip for a photoshoot on the beach" device twice.

I like that election gimmick. I wish I got Cinema Insomnia around here. You'd think the Boston area would get everything, but we don't....

They put a lot of their shows up for downloading, since most of them are public domain movies, anyway. I doubt they've put that particular episode up, though, since Winckler owns the copyright, and pretty much allowed the movie to play so he could get free advertising.

But yeah, the attack ads were great. You know the outtake on the DVD that shows the monster getting a lapdance? They inserted a bit of it into one of the ads, with the voice-over saying "Do you really want to elect someone who patronizes such establishments?" Funny stuff.

Ah, Pandora's Bride then. After a few mood swings, I came to like it; it's like I crossed some threshold of ridiculousness and said what the hell. How'd you like the "Special Guest Star?" And the ending?

Which of the many guest stars do you mean? I guess that was kind of a problem for me, the way it crossed over with so many films. It gave it a bit of a fanfic feel.

And as I mentioned in the PM, I just don't understand how (or why) she transformed Dr. Pretorius from the most evil character in the Universal Horrors to a kindly old man. I kept waiting for a twist at the end. I kind of get that she was trying to make the point that everyone's a good guy to someone, but it kind of seemed like a waste.

But now that you mention it, it did kind of read like a so-bad-it's-good movie. (Yeah, the ending was totally off-the-wall. Next time I watch Bride, I'm going to have to try to imagine that ending again.) I'll have to think on that. Most of the prose was still pretty annoying, though. Like I said in that PM, I don't expect Shakespeare but, "[He] looked at myself and the monster." Come on. How do you have a twenty-year writing career and then type that out?

Anyway, have you read the Mummy one yet? I only have the Mummy and Creature ones to go, and I'm kind of worried about the latter after reading some things about it.

Right now I'm reading World War Z, by Max Brooks. It's pretty entertaining, not to mention awfully thought-provoking for a zombie story.

[RJDiogenes]

Spaceman Spiff said:
Well, the problem for me wasn't the nudity, it's the fact that the story would just stop for five minutes while the girls stripped. Heck, they even used the "strip for a photoshoot on the beach" device twice.

Hmm. All I remember at this point is a "building suspense while the monster watches the photoshoot" scene. Anyway, it was that kind of a movie. I especially liked the pointless digression into a werewolf encounter, just so Eddie Munster could have a cameo.

But yeah, the attack ads were great. You know the outtake on the DVD that shows the monster getting a lapdance? They inserted a bit of it into one of the ads, with the voice-over saying "Do you really want to elect someone who patronizes such establishments?" Funny stuff.

Hah! That's inspired.

Which of the many guest stars do you mean? I guess that was kind of a problem for me, the way it crossed over with so many films. It gave it a bit of a fanfic feel.

True. I was talking about the robot. That was just hilarious. Come to think of it, perhaps Mr Winckler should produce the movie adaptation.

But now that you mention it, it did kind of read like a so-bad-it's-good movie. (Yeah, the ending was totally off-the-wall.

I just couldn't picture it as a Universal movie. The Children of Caine and the weird giant horse would have been impossible to achieve. Like I think I said, I was totally visualizing it as a Val Mayerik story in the old Monsters Unleashed. And I just loved the warm-and-fuzzy TV show aspect of the ending. Only the extras die. Our people are kidnapped and just about to be experimented on, but the villains miraculously don't have time. And the forest kids show up out of the blue with super-horse for a last-minute rescue. And then when the plot is over, everybody talks for five minutes and then gets in a cab, as if walking patchwork corpses are perfectly normal and everybody hasn't just had the most traumatic experience of their freaking lives. Whatshername goes off to the club for her dance shift after just being rescued from brain surgery. Very surreal.

Most of the prose was still pretty annoying, though. Like I said in that PM, I don't expect Shakespeare but, "[He] looked at myself and the monster." Come on. How do you have a twenty-year writing career and then type that out?

Did I mention Crisis On Infinite Earths? I've also noticed that in a couple of Peter David novels I've seen, and elsewhere. It really does seem that standards are falling in a disturbing way. I blame the editorial side, though, because these are obviously good writers; I just think that companies seem more willing to publish a rough draft rather than spending the time and money to polish and finish something.

Anyway, have you read the Mummy one yet? I only have the Mummy and Creature ones to go, and I'm kind of worried about the latter after reading some things about it.

I actually just read the first chapter, or prologue, of The Mummy. Too soon to make a judgment, although it was a bit confusing about whether it takes place in the present or the early 20th century. I suppose it will become clear soon enough. As for The Creature, yeah, it seems to be going too far afield in concept-- even moreso than Bride.

I just wish they had really gone for the Universal feel and made these books consistent sequels; one of the most disappointing aspects of this project is that they are mutually exclusive and contradictory. It's not the way I would have done it.

[RJDiogenes]

Well, I've made it through about two thirds of Mummy: Dark Resurrection and we've finally seen a mummy! It was just lying there in its sarcophagus, but at least it was a mummy.

For the record, I have two predictions: 1) Accelerated pregnancy, and 2) Jim is a traitor.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I have a feeling that one's not too great, either.

I'm enjoying World War Z. I've got about a hundred pages left.

[RJDiogenes]

Oops, I forgot you hadn't read that one yet; I'll avoid spoilers....

[Spaceman Spiff]

I'm watching Cinema Insomnia right now, funnily enough. Tonight's feature is Santo Vs. the Vampire Women.

A professor recruits a professional wrestler to protect his daughter from vampires intent on kidnapping her and marrying her to the devil.

You've got to love that synopsis.

[RJDiogenes]

How did I know that was going to be a Mexican movie?