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Showing posts with label frankenstein. Show all posts
Showing posts with label frankenstein. Show all posts

Friday, November 21, 2025

Streaming Standard: Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein (2025)

 If he can't make his Lovecraft Film, I'm happy that he got to do this.

Let's see how his version of Mary Shelly's Classic Tale plays out...

Out in the cold, unforgiving Arctic, a stuck boat comes across the nearly-dead Dr. Frankenstein.

A strange, cloaked man attacks, trying to kill him!
On the boat recovering, the Doctor goes full Dewey Cox and tells his life story.

He grew up with a mean Dad (Charles Dance- naturally) and grows up to be a Doctor obsessed with beating death itself!
He meets up with his Brother and pretty blatantly starts trying to romance his fiancee (Mia Goth).

He works on making a man...
Struggles come up along the way, but he still manages to make his Adam.

Is this red thing on his chest from the Book or a sneaky Cronos Easter Egg?
He brings his Adam to life.

Of course, given this Intro, you know that some really bad stuff happens along the way to get these two to this point.

To see how it plays out, stream it now.
A really fun and refreshing take on the Classic Tale.

I've seen lots and LOTS of Frankenstein Films.  I've seen the creature in black & white and color.  I've seen them in the past or present.

This one tells the Story in a different order.  It can be a bit pretentious, but it really works here.

Isaac does a good job at not being a redeemable Character.  It is a hard thing to do as a Lead, but he works.
Jacob Elordi is a real standout to me.  I've not seen him in much (sorry, Saltburn), so him disappearing so much into the role is really impressive.
He's probably the meanest Adam I've seen since Penny Dreadful.

The Film has all of what you'd expect- especially if you're intimately familiar with the Story- and some good flourishes from Del Toro.  There's no mistaking the fact that HE is the Director here.

It is SOOOO good- in spite of what the terrible AI Trailer Images might tell you...
What even...I mean...huh?!?

If you know the tale, this one is still one to check out.  If you don't know it well, this is a great introduction!

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Friday, July 18, 2025

'90s Class: Gods and Monsters (1998)

 A Film about a famous Director- that's pure Oscar bait.  Is it good though?

Gods and Monsters is sort of a Biopic of Director James Whale...albeit mostly fictional.  The broad strokes are true, but this 1998 Film is actually based on a Book.

The Film follows Whale in his (literal) final days as he struggles with his declining mind and health.  Can a new person in his life be the spark that brings him back?

I mean, no.  Did you not read the previous sentence?

The Film actually won an Oscar, which is a rare thing on this Site!  Sadly, it also was not a hit in Theaters.

Before Ian McKellen was Magneto and Brendan Fraser fought a Mummy, they teamed up in this very different Film...

It is 1957.  Famous Director James Whale has been retired since 1941 and living his final years in retirement.
Notably Whale did not hide his sexuality, back when people very much lived in the closet.

As such, his 'open secret' is one that he can deploy at will.
However, his body is failing him.

He had a stroke (IRL it was in 1956) and it has been causing his old memories to overtake him.

In function, it is a creative way to include the Flashbacks.
He sets his eyes on his new Gardener- a man named Clayton (Brendan Fraser)- and says that he'll pay him to let him draw him.

All above board, of course.
His stroke is also causing him to see things, which can't be good.

I'm also not a Doctor, but is that how they work?
Whale continues to befriend Fraser and obviously has some sort of feelings for him.

That seeps into his dreams, where he begins to see himself as the Monster and Fraser as the Doctor.
Fraser eventually learns Whale's open secret and tries to be calm about it.

In the next drawing session, however, Whale really pushes him and they have a big argument, ending with him storming out angrily.
Fraser realizes that he overreacted and they reunite.  Whale takes him to a Garden Party to meet his former friends and gets depressed when he realizes that he and his contemporaries (like Elsa Lanchester and Boris Karloff) are seen as relics.

He makes Fraser sad and he agrees to pose nude for him.  Whale gets very aggressive and tries to incite Fraser into kill him, explaining that his mind is going and he wants to die!
He doesn't, so Whale drowns himself in his own pool the next morning.

In the aftermath, Fraser moves on and makes a family, showing off his one piece of memorabilia from Whale- a signed copy of his original Frankenstein Monster drawing.

The End.
A really good Film that is not that much like what I usually see.  Have I even done another Bill Condon Film here?

Well, yes, apparently, but not the ones you'd hope (Candyman 2, Twilight: Breaking Dawn 1 and 2).

Everyone does a really good job here.  Ian McKellen is obviously the Star attraction here and he really disappears into the role.

To his credit, Fraser does a great job reacting, which is arguably the hardest job as an Actor.  Redgrave also walks a fine line between being too dramatic and too silly.

Just know that this is a highly fictional version of Whale's final days, as it is an adaptation of a fictional account.  His real ending was less dramatic, but still tragic.

It was fun seeing them recreate the Bride of Frankenstein set/make-up.  They did a good job all around.

Do note that the Film can get pretty intense at times and does deal with subjects that some people- even 27 years later- are still shy about.

So long, Boris.

Next up, let me changes things up again.  I never gave the bad Jaws Sequels a proper review in 2009, so let's do it right!

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Thursday, July 17, 2025

Tubi Thursday: House of the Wolf Man (2009)

 I enjoy watching Old Movies, trying to relive Classics or just to enjoy the cheesiness on display.

While I'm in a Universal Horror mood (see tomorrow's Review), let me check out a new(er) Film that intentionally tries to look like an old one.

My history with those is very mixed, so here's hoping for the best...

A Castle.
A storm.
A creepy guy opening the door.

This is The Old Dark House, a different James Whale Film...but still Universal.
A bunch of strangers all invited by a Mr. Reinhart to come to his Estate.

The winner of some sort of contest will get it all.
The Master is played by Ron Chaney, the Grandson of Lon Chaney and son of (obviously) Lon Chaney Jr.

He's up to something, but we'll get to that...eventually.
After some watchful paintings, some banter and some foreshadowing, the most forthcoming of the group explains what she has figured out.

They are all related, each one sired by a man/monster that killed their Mother(s).

This isn't Universal Horror- this is The Howling V!
Kudos for the cheap looking Model Castle though.

It's only missing a great shot of lightning striking in front of it to be Universal.
Well, that or a Roger Corman Film.
The Film FINALLY gets to the point as the group has dinner with Reinhart after more foreshadowing (specifically about someone named Bella and the Frankenstein Family Crest).

Reinhart turns into a Wolfman (and obvious double) and kills most of the group.

He's stopped by...the Monster.
At least he looks cool.
Sure- why not throw him in with almost no setup or teasing?!?

I guess that 'Bella' mention is going to lead to Dracula showing up and...yeah, alright then.

Sadly, the Film just kind of ends shortly after that.  The End.
A Film that...I can't recommend that much, sadly.

A Movie like this can work.  Copy the look and feel, but make a new, interesting Film with it.
Barring that, make a good Comedy.

Here's a little secret- not every Universal Horror Film was created equal.  The Classics are considered that for a reason.  Some of the Sequels that are just alright are just old Films also made by Universal.

I wish that this was a good use of the look and feel, but that's really all there is to it.

The final Segment of the Film is fun, even if it does kind of break the Universal illusion with how the action plays out.  If the other 45 minutes or so were half this good, I'd be all over this one.

House of the Wolf Man is a well-meaning, but not that great Film.  It's also not above marketing to, ahem, a different demographic...

A Film that knows what it wants to look and feel like.  If only the same dedication went to making the Film interesting as it did to making it look grainy in black and white.

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Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Shudder Day: The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (2023)

 A Film like this is an interesting attempt to look at a Classic Tale in a new light.

Does it work?

A young woman faces a series of tragedies so early in her life.

She was there when her Mother was shot.
She's just witnessed her older Brother being shot and killed in the open.
There's a Drug Kingpin in their Neighborhood who her Brother worked for.

After the son's death, her Father is now an addict under the Dealer's thumb.

What can she do?
Turn her Brother into a Frankenstein Monster, of course.

That's the most obvious solution!
The problem- she can't control him!

He attacks one of the Dealer's men and causes trouble.

Since she was spotted near him, things go poorly for her.
Can she get her Monster in check?
Can she bring peace to the neighborhood?
Can she stop the killing?

Do I need to sign a Form saying 'Please don't make me a Frankenstein Monster' before I die?

To find out the answer to some of those questions, watch the Film.
A good Film that takes a bit to get going.

The Plot is pretty bleak.  There are some jokes, but it is mostly serious and often pretty rough.
Just know what you're getting into.

The Monster Effects are often understated but look good.  The dreads sticking out from the hoodie are a nice accent.

The real draw here is the Drama.  It really humanizes all of the Characters.  Everyone save for the guy who's just a murderous psychopath gets a bit of an Arc here.
They all feel real, in spite of the bizarre situation.

If you like your Horror Films without Social Commentary, look elsewhere.
Otherwise, this one is a strong recommendation for Indy Horror Fans looking for something familiar, but different.

Just prepare to make this face at least two or three times.

A good Film that is a slow burn that leads to something big.  Along the way, you'll care about these poor people.

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Thursday, January 2, 2025

Tubi Thursday: The Asylum's Monster Mash (2024)

 I don't think I did enough Films from 2024 in, well, 2024.

As such, let me make up for it by covering this Asylum Film from that same year...

This Film, as you can see from the Poster, features a whole host of Universal Movie Monsters...but not quite exactly like they were.

They aren't all Public Domain yet folks- sorry.
Dr. Frankenstein is trying to create a super monster.

To do so, he has his creation- aka also Frankenstein (if you're lazy)- take what he needs with little effort from some Monsters.
It literally steals the Mummy's heart, but Dracula brings him back anyways.

Same with The Invisible Man mostly.

I just love stakes- I wish they did!
Can this one Psychic lady/Witch/Romani help him stop the Doctor?

Bear in mind, he somehow doesn't know who Frankenstein is in this Film.
At all.
Can he get his unnamed Monster Squad together to save the day?

They couldn't stop the Monster the first time, so I'm not betting on these guys.
Or will Frankenstein succeed at his mission?

To find out, stream it now.
A Film that is so over-the-top that it is hard to really screw up.

Don't worry- they try.

The Pacing is weird here as we rush through Action Scenes and then prolong Talking Scenes.  We also get full maximization of a Set as they go to THE SAME VILLAGE TAVERN at least 4 times in the Film.

The Waitress has no reaction to Dracula or a Mummy either.  Thanks for asking.

The Plot is fine.  I can't really hate on it too much.
It only features a few things really- Brief Action Scene, Prison Chat with the Monster, Planning, Tavern Scene.  Someone hit Ctrl P quite a bit here.

Positives for the Mummy make-up (but not the fact that he wears a burlap outfit), the Dracula make-up, the Frankenstein Monster make-up and there are some creative shots done in After Effects.

Does this make the most of the Premise?  No.
Does it suck?  No.
Have these people made worse Films in their history?  Very much yes!

A Film that works as a decent first attempt at a concept.  Given the tease, they may do this again in 2025 if Digital Purchases were enough.

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Thursday, July 25, 2024

Tubi Thursday: Teen Monster with Ryan Reynolds (aka Boltneck)

 If I'm going to be shameless about this, why pretend otherwise?

Let's see what 1998 to 2000-era Ryan Reynolds was like in...

Young Frank (Matthew Lawernce) is convinced that he can revive the dead like in Frankenstein.

Since life is crazy (or lazy screenwriting is easy) his name is literally Frank Stein AND his Dad studies the brain.
Some Bullies pick on him and his Token Black Friend (this is a Film from 1998/2000) before picking on...

Is that Ryan Reynolds in his Goth Phase?
He attends a private party- it's literally the Bullies and their Girlfriends- and puts up a fight.

They accidentally brain him and get spotted by Frank.
Instead of calling the Cops, he gets them to help him prove his thesis.

He breaks into the Brain Lab and switches the damaged brain of Karl/Ryan with a new one.
With his scar covered, he's revived as a new man.

Now he's, well, Ashton Kutcher.
As Frank finds out, the brains are those of criminals who 'donated them to science.'

As such, new Karl (who randomly goes super deep voiced) is a manipulative criminal who is going to endanger everyone.

Oops.

To see how it all works out, stream it now.
It's honestly not terrible.  A glowing endorsement for sure!

This is just something that sounded pretty bad.  I was expecting the worst here.
The actual Film really only works due to the Acting here.  Once he's transformed, Reynolds gets closer to what you'd expect him to be.

This was made in 1998, the same year that Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place started.  He was nearly to, well, stock Ryan Reynolds.
To be fair, if it has brought you that much success, why change?!?

He definitely brings this Film up in his parts, because otherwise it is pretty dated.  Aside from the fun ways (like the fashion), things are definitely of the time.  The fact that 'Ha ha people think that you two are Gay' is a Plot Point says it all.

The Film is thankfully bolstered by a good Cast, even if many barely appear.  It also seems to have cast via Dart Board.

After all, how do you get a Lawrence Brother, Charles Fleischer, Judge Reinhold, Richard Moll and Shelly Duvall (RIP you two) in one Film together?!?
Moll appears 2x as Reynolds' Dad
***
Duvall plays Frank's Mom in a whopping 3 Scenes.

Also worth noting that Mr. Reynolds is not afraid to mock even this one.  He did so in 2018- Deadpool 2 | With Apologies to David Beckham - YouTube


A decent enough Film that most people will watch for Reynolds alone.  It is no 'classic,' but you could do far worse with 80 minutes.

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