eve6kicksass

Title: TEEN WOLF Rating: ***1/2 (out of 5)

This film would have probably been released on TV or direct-to-video, were it not for Michael J. Fox in the title role as a teenager with the usual high school problems (trying to get accepted, in love with a shallow blond, yearning to be something more than average, has a childhood friend who loves him, but is drawn back because he is not mature enough to know looks aren't everything). In the midst of all this, he discovers he has the mark of the werewolf (!), which he, in turn, uses to solve all his problems. Hailed has an instant dud at the time of its release in 1985, though it became a surprise hit at the box office because of the other Fox movie that year. Its success spawned a sequel and a TV series, though this is the only one of the three that matters (at least to its fans). Like most people, I grew up watching this people, though I recorded off TV, and I recently bought it on DVD and was surprised at the amount of drinking, drug use, profanity, and sexual innuendo is present (that scene in the dressing room was rather obligatory). Still, this film is nothing more than a guilty pleasure, a film with so many bad qualities, yet people love it anyway (thier excuse...how can you dislike a film like this?). I agree. As a comedy, the film isnt uproarious, though it certainly has its moments. The cast is energetic and likable for the most part; aside from Fox, we have funny turns by Jerry Levine as Fox's buddy who uses his image for financial gain, James Hampton is sincere as his father, Susan Ursetti is charming as his child hood friend, but some of the best scenes belong to comedy writer Jay Tarses, who steals nearly every scene he's in as Fox's athletic coach.

The film suffers because of its cliches, sadly...I mean, who did NOT predict the resolution?...though, the film is still entertaining and fun on a certain level. If anything, its certainly a relic of the 80s and like many other films I consider guilty pleasures (i.e. Howard the Duck, Perils of Gwendoline in the land of the Yik Yak), the film is admittedly reeks of bad production values and poor writing and directing, though for the many people who love Fox (like me) and grew up watching it (like me), you simply dont care. P.S. It may be just me, but when I saw the film on DVD after I saw Spider-man, Fox's father says "With great power comes great responsibility"....did Spider-Man rip that off?????...LOL

Fav. Quotes: "Hey, do you anything of a rash that's going around?"

"An explanation is probably long overdue."

Title: CARNIVAL OF SOULS Rating (Original and Director's Cut): ****

One of the perfect examples of independent filmmaking at its best. Made in 1962, on a modest budget of $13,000, and filmed in only three weeks, this film manages to make you chill in very much the same way NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD did six years later. The difference in the two I think lies in the fact that this film lies on a much more deeper, resonant level which actually makes you think while the latter goes for the throat in the terms of the horror and gore. This is one of those rare horror films that relies on atmosphere and suspense and succeeds on virtually every level, and despite the fact it had limited release and unheard of after a few years, by 1989 a demand for a re-release had come about after it had played quite a bit on late night television. Many of the original cast and crew were reunited and they probably had no clue how it had come about. In 2000, the highly respected Criterion corporation released a 2-disc DVD that is a true treasure for fans of the film and wonderful introduction to those that have never seen it....and I'm particulary talking to everyone who spent $300 on going to see THE SIXTH SENSE and make their own judgement as to how far director M. Night Shymalan borrowed from this to make SENSE his own. The story focuses on a beautiful young woman (Candice Hilligoss) who somehow surivives a drag-racing accident she had gotten into with some local friends. She is a church organist, who feels compelled to leave her hometown in Kansas (probably to leave this accident behind in her mind) and soon finds herself pursued by strange, white-faced "phantom figure" (played by director Herk Harvey). She also finds herself drawn to an abondoned Salt Lake City carnival by forces she can't comprehend, particularly when they make her lose touch with reality. The movie is relatively short; the original version clocks in at 78 minutes, and the Director's cut released in 1989 is five minutes longer, which adds mostly more shots of the zombielike creatures who terrorize her near the end and some more dialogue by Hilligoss with the doctor, and the friend who suggests a drag race at the beginning of the film. Still, the film stands out in the genre of horror films on many levels and should be studied by any person out there who wants to make horror or independent films. The performances are unifirmly superb starting with Hilligoss who plays her part as real as any other person would in her situation, trying to enjoy life and at the same time, figuring out where she is in terms of reality. Sidney Berger gives a wonderful performance as a guy who pursues Hilligoss in another manner; Roger Ebert described his character as being the pivotal example of a "nerd in lust." Even Hervey himself being an amateur actor has the right look and nuance as this ghoul who enters in to Hilligoss' life. As with NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and Roman Polanski's REPULSION (my personal fav in the horror genre) the film's shoestring production manages to bring it to life and manages to be an element of its brilliance rather than detracting from it and being looked as just amaterish. Recently, I put this film as one of the top 10 cult films of all time, the first being BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, if you are interested. Check out this genuninely creepy film and you shouldn't be disappointed.