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hachetooth
Reviews
Howard the Duck (1986)
Not Enough Duck On Lea Thompson Action
Why should a film that makes one million dollars be considered a flop? I mean everyone got paid for their work, and the public gets a good movie. Am I correct for assuming that only producers or other investors are the ones that make any profit? And yes any film that's not making money is also not making money for theaters and the people who work at them. But still a competent and surprisingly fun effects showcase, full of surprises is now available for generations to enjoy. Any film that gets made is a miracle, whether or not it makes money.
This movie is a gem. Not a masterpiece, but a worthy venture, if ill conceived. Many jokes are clever and witty. The effects design is inspired. Seeing Jeffrey Jones as a horror monster is a real treat that hesitant viewers are missing out on too. The pun and reference filled banter between Howard and the Tim Robbins character are some of my favorite parts. Overall it's no masterpiece, but a flawed gem, and proof of the creative strengths of Lucas and ILM.
Victor Frankenstein (2015)
Fun for Frankenstein Fans
While not a "fine film" it kept me glued to the screen. For fans of, well, Frankenstein movies, this is a lot of fun. Very much a mashup "best-of" selecting bits and pieces from other Frankenstein movies. Also Igor and Victor are very believable and relatable characters, and that goes a long way.
Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (1949)
Abbott and Costello Sure, But What About Karloff?!
I've seen enough murder mystery/haunted house/body switching mayhem films to be totally bored for the first hour of this film, which takes place in a hotel. At least "Hold That Ghost!" happens in a "Old Dark House."
I'll be honest, I'm here mostly on the promise of seeing Boris Karloff say some slow sinister lines. And, not being an Abbott and Costello fan, hoping for some horror elements, effects, sets, fantastic set pieces, etc. But Karloff barely stays on screen for more than a few seconds at a time, except for maybe one scene, which is really more for Bud to show off than Karloff. The thing is called "Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff." So it's bound to upset some fans when they barely use him. Seems like they put him in a small part at the last minute, and tacked his name on to a near finished script.
They really used him well in "Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." And in "Meet Frankenstein" we have plenty of spooky stuff and a whole slew of monsters.
At least the last 20 some minutes we enter "The Lost Caverns." Some fantastic sets and set pieces to entertain. I was so tired of finding well dressed and clean bodies neatly stowed in closets, and seeing Bud be dumbstruck, and Lou ignore him, in a hotel with no atmosphere. Now the killer is in a weird and spooky costume, obscuring his face, stalking around the cave; Bud is getting into gags with lots of interesting effects, and we get a glimpse into the world of cave turtle watersports.
Pretty uneven, a drag until the last act, where they spend all the money for the big finish.
Van Helsing (2004)
Over the top, Dumb Fun, Awful and Entertaining
For every twelve things this movie does poorly there is three or four things it does really well. Fast paced and full of silly plot devices and cliches. Moves at such a fast pace that you only have time to laugh at the silly plot devices. If you enjoyed Victor Frankenstein (2015) or the 40's Universal Dracula/Frankenstein/Wolfman mashups or even the lesser Hammer Gothic horrors, you will find something here to like. Imagine any of those but pumped up on early 2000's CGI crowding the screen with non-stop movement. It's cheesy, it's filled with bad to repulsively trashy dialogue and with a few fun twists.
Supernova (2000)
Fun Trash
Fun Trash. Very 2000/Late 90's asthetic. Takes itself way to seriously, and that's alot of fun. Shiny, Sleek and Sweaty. Sci-Fi Space Drama with intrigue. Sort of a 50's sci-fi updated with late 90's sex, effects and attitude, but still filled with flimsy soap opera drama and action film twists.